n. [ AS. forgifnes. ] 1. The act of forgiving; the state of being forgiven; as, the forgiveness of sin or of injuries. [ 1913 Webster ]

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses. Dan. ix. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

In whom we have . . . the forgiveness of sin. Eph. i. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. & a. from Give, v. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Math. & Logic) Granted; assumed; supposed to be known; set forth as a known quantity, relation, or premise. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disposed; inclined; -- used with an adv.; as, virtuously given. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Stated; fixed; as, in a given time. [ 1913 Webster ]

Given name, the Christian name, or name given by one's parents or guardians, as distinguished from the surname, which is inherited. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the quality of being granted as a supposition; of being acknowledged or assumed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]