■ noun
1》 the action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offence.
2》 a remission of the legal consequences of an offence or conviction.
3》 Christian Church, historical an indulgence.
■ verb
1》 forgive or excuse (a person, error, or offence).
2》 release (an offender) from the legal consequences of an offence or conviction.
■ exclamation used to ask a speaker to repeat something because one did not hear or understand it.
Phrases
I beg your ~ (or ~ me ) used to express polite apology or to indicate that one has not heard or understood something.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~ably adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. pardun (n.), ~er (v.), from med. L. perdonare 'concede, remit', from per- 'completely' + donare 'give'.