I. ˈamnə̇stē, ˈaam-, -ti also -ˌnes- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Greek amnēstia forgetfulness, amnesty, from amnēstos forgotten (from a- a- (II) + -mnēstos, from mnasthai to remember) + -ia -y — more at mind
1. archaic : the voluntary overlooking of an offense by the one offended
2. : the act of an authority (as a government) by which general pardon of an offense is granted often before trial or conviction especially to a large group of individuals
an amnesty for war criminals
Synonyms: see pardon
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to grant amnesty to