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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

  • (..) - Only we've got to go to work. l'll tell him. What is it? ls it a mine? lt's a bomb by a viaduct. - Does he have to go? - Beg pardon? What if you couldn't find him? Sergeant, not today. Not this morning. - What's happening? Am l needed? - Afraid so, Sir. Don't go. l'm frightened. (..)
    1996 The English Patient