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

  • (..) Sorry for everything. Let's get you out of here. - It's too late. It's over. They've taken it. Sam... ...they took the Ring. Begging your pardon, but they haven't. I thought I'd lost you. So I took it. Only for safekeeping. Give it to me. Give me the Ring, Sam. (..)
    2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King