forgiveness

for-give-ness · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The act of forgiving or the state of being forgiven; pardoning of an offense or fault.

  2. 2.

    Willingness to forgive; a disposition to pardon offenses.

  3. 3.

    Cancellation of a debt or obligation.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    ask for forgiveness — To request pardon for a wrong.
  • •
    beg forgiveness — To plead earnestly to be pardoned.

Related words

Antonyms: condemnation, resentment, revenge
See also: forgive, mercy, pardon
Synonyms: absolution, mercy, pardon

Etymology

From Old English forgiefnes, from forgifan ("to forgive") + -nes (noun suffix). The root forgifan combines for- (intensive prefix) with gifan ("to give"), literally meaning "to give completely" or "to give up resentment."