Officially forgiven for a crime or wrongdoing; released from punishment by a person in authority.
From Old French 'pardoner', from 'par' (fully) plus 'donner' (to give). Literally means 'to give fully,' which evolved to mean forgiving completely.
The power to pardon is one of the rarest powers a ruler or president has—it's absolute forgiveness that erases punishment. Throughout history, controversial pardons have changed the course of politics, from Richard Nixon to controversial modern cases.
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