If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Ps. cxxx. 3, 4.
Syn. -- 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.
For*giv"er (?), n. One who forgives. Johnson.
For*giv"ing, a. Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses;
mild; merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper.
-- For*giv"ing*ly, adv. -- For*giv"ing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.
For*go" (?), v. t. [imp. Forwent; p. p. Forgone; p. pr. & vb. n.
Forgoing.] [OE. forgan, forgon, forgoon, AS. forgn, prop., to go past,
hence, to abstain from; pref. for- + gn to go; akin to G. vergehen to
pass away, to transgress. See Go, v. i.] To pass by; to leave. See 1st
Forego.
For sith [since] I shall forgoon my liberty At your request.
Chaucer.
And four [days] since Florimell the court forwent.
Spenser.
This word in spelling has been confused with, and almost superseded by,
forego to go before. Etymologically the form forgo is correct.
For*got" (?), imp. & p. p. of Forget.
For*got"ten (?), p. p. of Forget.
For*hall" (?), v. t. [Pref. for- + hale to draw.] To harass; to
torment; to distress. [Obs.] Spenser.