Forgiving

Forgiving
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. [1913 Webster]

To them that list the world's gay shows I leave, And to great ones such folly do forgive. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

And their sins should be forgiven them. --Mark iv. 12. [1913 Webster]

He forgive injures so readily that he might be said to invite them. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. --Luke xxiii. 34. [1913 Webster]

I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Forgiving — 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • forgiving — forgiving; un·forgiving; …   English syllables

  • forgiving — [fər giv′iŋ] adj. 1. that forgives; inclined to forgive 2. designed or constructed so as to reduce the impact of mistakes, errors, stress, mishandling, etc. on performance [synthetic turf forgiving to an athlete s legs] forgivingly adv.… …   English World dictionary

  • forgiving — index charitable (lenient), lenient, magnanimous, nonmilitant, palliative (excusing), patient …   Law dictionary

  • forgiving — (adj.) inclined to forgive, 1680s, from prp. of FORGIVE (Cf. forgive). Related: Forgivingness …   Etymology dictionary

  • forgiving — forgivingly, adv. forgivingness, n. /feuhr giv ing/, adj. 1. disposed to forgive; indicating forgiveness: a forgiving soul; a forgiving smile. 2. tolerant: The mountain is not forgiving of inexperienced climbers. [1680 90; FORGIVE + ING2] * * * …   Universalium

  • forgiving — [[t]fə(r)gɪ̱vɪŋ[/t]] ADJ GRADED Someone who is forgiving is willing to forgive. Voters can be remarkably forgiving of presidents who fail to keep their campaign promises... I don t think people are in a very forgiving mood …   English dictionary

  • Forgiving — Infobox Television episode Title = Forgiving Series = Angel Caption = {Caption|} Season = 3 Episode = 17 Airdate = April 15, 2002 Production = 3ADH17 Writer = Jeffrey Bell Director = Turi Meyer Guests = John Rubinstein (Linwood) Andy Hallett… …   Wikipedia

  • forgiving — adjective Date: 1623 1. willing or able to forgive 2. allowing room for error or weakness < designed to be a forgiving tennis racquet > • forgivingly adverb • forgivingness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • forgiving — adjective Inclined to forgive. I am not very forgiving …   Wiktionary

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