Forgiveness for an offense or the official cancellation of a legal punishment. Also used as a polite expression when asking someone to repeat something.
From Old French 'pardon,' from Medieval Latin 'perdonum,' meaning 'complete forgiveness.' The root combines 'per-' (thoroughly) with 'donare' (to give), literally meaning 'to give completely' or 'to give up entirely.'
Presidential pardons have an interesting constitutional quirk - they can only be granted for federal crimes, and accepting a pardon legally implies admission of guilt, even if the person was never convicted. The polite 'pardon me?' usage evolved from the idea of asking forgiveness for not hearing properly.
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