FORGIVENESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does forgiveness mean? 

• FORGIVENESS (noun)
  The noun FORGIVENESS has 2 senses:

1. compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive

2. the act of excusing a mistake or offense

  Familiarity information: FORGIVENESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORGIVENESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("forgiveness" is a kind of...):

mercifulness; mercy (the feeling that motivates compassion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of excusing a mistake or offense

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

forgiveness; pardon

Hypernyms ("forgiveness" is a kind of...):

benignity; kindness (a kind act)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "forgiveness"):

condonation (a pardon by treating the offender as if the offense had not occurred)

exculpation (the act of freeing from guilt or blame)

 Context examples 

She smiled at me whimsically, gloriously, and I knew there was no need for forgiveness.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Nothing that you have done requires forgiveness.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"Oh, certainly, if they are in your way," and sweeping her contributions into her apron, pell-mell, she walked off, feeling that herself and her works of art had been insulted past forgiveness.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Many a time in my sleep had I raised her up, and whispered to her, “Em'ly, my dear, I am come fur to bring forgiveness, and to take you home!””

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Besides, it is the season of forgiveness.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The forgiveness, at first, indeed, as was reasonable, comprehended only Robert; and Lucy, who had owed his mother no duty and therefore could have transgressed none, still remained some weeks longer unpardoned.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

If you could but be persuaded to think no more of it, aunt, and to regard me with kindness and forgiveness

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The person may also ask for forgiveness and forgive others.

(Ethical will, NCI Dictionary)

“There spoke your true self,” said he; “and you will find more pleasure in such forgiveness than in any vengeance.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Tell him that a full confession is his only chance of forgiveness.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)