Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Forgive?

\For*give"\, v. t. [imp. {Forgave}; p. p. {Forgiven}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forgiving}] [OE. forgiven, foryiven, foryeven, AS. forgiefan, forgifan; perh. for- + giefan, gifan to give; cf. D. vergeven, G. vergeben, Icel. fyrirgefa, Sw. f?rgifva, Goth. fragiban to give, grant. See {For-}, and {Give}, v. t.] 1. To give wholly; to make over without reservation; to resign. To them that list the world's gay shows I leave, And to great ones such folly do forgive. --Spenser. 2. To give up resentment or claim to requital on account of (an offense or wrong); to remit the penalty of; to pardon; -- said in reference to the act forgiven. And their sins should be forgiven them. --Mark iv. 12. He forgive injures so readily that he might be said to invite them. --Macaulay. 3. To cease to feel resentment against, on account of wrong committed; to give up claim to requital from or retribution upon (an offender); to absolve; to pardon; -- said of the person offending. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. --Luke xxiii. 34. I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven. --Shak. Note: Sometimes both the person and the offense follow as objects of the verb, sometimes one and sometimes the other being the indirect object. ``Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.'' --Matt. vi. 12. ``Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'' --Matt. ix. 2. Syn: See {excuse}.