Origin: 1250–1300; ME (n. and v.) < OF
pardon (n.) remission, indulgence, n. deriv. of
pardoner (v.) < ML
perdōnāre to remit, overlook, lit., to forgive, equiv. to L
per- for- (
see per- ) +
dōnāre to give;
see donate; ML v. perh. a trans. from Gmc
Synonyms:3. absolution, remission.
Pardon, amnesty, reprieve are nouns referring to the cancellation, or delay with the possibility of eventual cancellation, of a punishment or penalty assigned for the violation of a military regulation or a civil law; absolution from guilt is not implied, merely a remission of the penalty. A
pardon is granted to an individual, often by the action of a government official such as a governor, president, or monarch, and releases the individual from any punishment due for the infraction of the law, as a death sentence, prison term, or fine:
to be released from prison with a full pardon. An
amnesty is a pardon granted to a group of persons for past offenses against a government; it often includes an assurance of no future prosecution:
to grant amnesty to political prisoners; an amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers during which no penalties are assessed. A
reprieve is a delay of impending punishment, especially a death sentence; it does not cancel or remit the punishment, it simply delays it, usually for a specific period of time or until a decision can be arrived at as to the possibility of pardon or reduction of sentence:
a last-minute reprieve, allowing the filing of an appeal to the Supreme Court. 6. acquit, clear.
See excuse. 7. forgive, absolve, condone, overlook.
[pahr-dn] 