Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

condone

 - 4 dictionary results

con⋅done

[kuhn-dohn]
–verb (used with object), -doned, -don⋅ing.
1. to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like).
2. to give tacit approval to: By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.
3. to pardon or forgive (an offense); excuse.
4. to cause the condonation of.
5. Law. to forgive or act so as to imply forgiveness of (a violation of the marriage vow).

Origin:
1615–25, but in general currency from its use in the British Divorce Act of 1857 (see def. 5); < L condōnāre to absolve, grant pardon, equiv. to con- con- + dōnāre to give; see donate


con⋅don⋅a⋅ble, adjective
con⋅don⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To condone
con·done   (kən-dōn')   
tr.v.   con·doned, con·don·ing, con·dones
To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure. See Synonyms at forgive.

[Latin condōnāre : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + dōnāre, to give (from dōnum, gift; see dō- in Indo-European roots).]
con·don'a·ble adj., con·don'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

condone 
1857, from L. condonare "to give up, remit," from com- intensive prefix + donare "to give." Originally a legal term.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: con·done
Pronunciation: k&n-'dOn
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: con·doned; con·don·ing
Etymology: Latin condonare to give away, absolve
: to pardon or overlook voluntarily
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see condone on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: