pardon

Definition

  • noun: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
  • verb: to officially say that someone who is guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
  • verb: to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime
  • usually used as '(be) pardoned for'
  • synonyms: indulgence

Examples

  • “He's been in Haiti for the past two months.” “'Beg pardon'? He's been in Hawaii?” “No, Haiti.”

  • She received a 'presidential/royal pardon'. [=a pardon from a president or a king or queen]

  • The group wants the debt of the world's poorest countries to be 'pardoned'. [='forgiven']

Movie quotes

  • (..) In the restricted section... and I read something rather odd about this rare magic. It's called, as I understand it, a Horcrux. - I beg your pardon? - Horcrux. I came across the term while reading... and I didn't fully understand it. (..)
    2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • (..) rather odd about this rare magic. I thought perhaps, you could illuminate me. It's called, as I understand it, Hor... I beg your pardon? I don't know anything about such things and if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Now get out of here at once (..)
    2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince