pardon

pardon n

ME < OFr perdun.

  1. Forgiveness; mercy; release from guilt; freedom from pain.

pardon [-ed] v

OFr pardoner = L. per, through + dōnāre, to give.

  1. Forgive; excuse; overlook.
  2. Compassionately withhold censure from; agree to forego punishing; mercifully refrain from rebuking