FORGIVENESS • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Forgiveness

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/fərgˈɪvnəs/ /fɔrgˈɪvnəs/ Listen

noun

Forgiveness n.

The act of forgiving; the state of being forgiven; as, the forgiveness of sin or of injuries. "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses." "In whom we have... the forgiveness of sin."

Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive. "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."

Synonyms: Pardon, remission. Forgiveness, Pardon. Forgiveness is Anglo-Saxon, and pardon Norman French, both implying a giving back. The word pardon, being early used in our Bible, has, in religious matters, the same sense as forgiveness; but in the language of common life there is a difference between them, such as we often find between corresponding Anglo-Saxon and Norman words. Forgive points to inward feeling, and suppose alienated affection; when we ask forgiveness, we primarily seek the removal of anger. Pardon looks more to outward things or consequences, and is often applied to trifling matters, as when we beg pardon for interrupting a man, or for jostling him in a crowd. The civil magistrate also grants a pardon, and not forgiveness. The two words are, therefore, very clearly distinguished from each other in most cases which relate to the common concerns of life.

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Etymology of 'Forgiveness'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Forgiveness" Quotes from Famous Books

... said she to herself. She adjusted her spectacles, picked up her knitting and resumed work, a gentle look of forgiveness upon her face. ...

— The Hindered Hand - or, The Reign of the Repressionist • Sutton E. Griggs

... and I feel death upon me. It is happy that he comes so gently, and when I am so well prepared to meet him. The grave has views, that no other scene offers, Adrienne! Noble blood and ancient renown are as nothing compared to God's mercy and forgiveness. Pardon me if I have ever taught thy simple heart to dwell on vanities; but it was a fault of the age. This world is all vanity, and I can now see it when it is too late. Do not let MY fault be THY fault, child of my love. Kiss me, Adrienne, pray for my ...

— Autobiography of a Pocket-Hankerchief • James Fenimore Cooper

... meet again. I will crush this madness to death. I think I have been delirious ever since that day I saw you first, Magdalen. My brain is clearer now. I see my duty and I mean to do it at any cost. I dare not trust myself to say more. Magdalen, I have much for which to ask your forgiveness." ...

— Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1896 to 1901 • Lucy Maud Montgomery

... that on the night of the Spanish quartette; it was rather that she meant to make sure that there would by no possibility be anything to forgive concerning her conduct with regard to the Princess. Lucia could not grab her and so call Daisy's powers of forgiveness into play again, if she never came near her, and Daisy meant to take proper precautions that she should not come near her. Accordingly Georgie and Piggy were asked to the first seance (if it did not go very ...

— Queen Lucia • E. F. Benson

... over; my mother knows everything. I no longer have her anger to fear, and must trust to time for her forgiveness." ...

— File No. 113 • Emile Gaboriau

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