Pardon (ceremony)
WordNet

noun


(1)   The act of excusing a mistake or offense
(2)   The formal act of liberating someone
(3)   A warrant granting release from punishment for an offense

verb


(4)   Grant a pardon to
"Ford pardoned Nixon"
"The Thanksgiving turkey was pardoned by the President"
(5)   Accept an excuse for
"Please excuse my dirty hands"
WiktionaryText

Noun



  1. Forgiveness for an offence.
    • 1748: Samuel Richardson, Clarissa
      a step, that could not be taken with the least hope of ever obtaining pardon from or reconciliation with any of my friends;
  2. An order that releases a convicted criminal without further punishment, prevents future punishment, or (in some jurisdictions) removes an offence from a person's criminal record, as if it had never been committed.
    • 1974: President Gerald Ford, Proclamation 4311
      I... have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States ...

Verb



  1. To forgive.
    • 1599: William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
      O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
    • 1815: Jane Austen, Emma
      I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned, in consideration of the motive.
  2. To grant an official pardon for a crime.

Interjection



  1. Pardon?, What did you say?, Can you say that again?
 
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