Forgive Definition

fər-gĭv, fôr-
forgave, forgiven, forgives, forgiving
verb
To give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon.
Webster's New World
To give up all claim to punish or exact penalty for (an offense); overlook.
Webster's New World
To show forgiveness; be inclined to forgive.
Webster's New World
To cancel or remit (a debt)
Webster's New World

Origin of Forgive

  • Middle English forgiven (“to forgive”), from Old English forġiefan (“to forgive, give up, provide”), corresponding to for- +‎ give. Cognate with Dutch vergeven, German vergeben.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English forgiven from Old English forgiefan ghabh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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