FORGIVE

verb (forgave; ~n; -giving) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English forgifan, from for- + gifan to give Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to give up resentment of or claim to requital for , to grant relief from payment of , to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) ; pardon , intransitive verb to grant ~ness, see: excuse forgivable adjective forgivably adverb ~r noun