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forgive definition

for·give (fər giv′, fôr-)

transitive verb forgave -·gave′, forgiven -·giv′en, forgiving -·giv′·ing

  1. to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon
  2. to give up all claim to punish or exact penalty for (an offense); overlook
  3. to cancel or remit (a debt)

Etymology: ME forgeven < OE forgiefan, forgifan (akin to Ger vergeben): see for- & give

intransitive verb

to show forgiveness; be inclined to forgive

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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TO ERR IS HUMAN TO FORGIVE DEVINE214 years ago

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