noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English foryevenesse, foryivenesse, forgevenesse, forgivenesse, from Old English forgifnes, forgifenes, from forgifen (past participle of forgiefan forgifan ) + -nes -ness
1. : an act of forgiving or state of being forgiven ; often : remission
the forgiveness of the tax liability … should not result in such a serious disturbance to the revenues — Journal of Accountancy
2. archaic : disposition to pardon : willingness to forgive