Definitions for forgiveness
fərˈgɪv nɪsfor·give·ness

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. forgivenessnoun

   compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive

2. forgiveness, pardonnoun

   the act of excusing a mistake or offense

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. forgivenessnoun

   The action of forgiving.

2. forgivenessnoun

   Readiness to forgive.

3. Etymology: From forgiven + -ness.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Forgivenessnoun

   Etymology: forgifennisse, Saxon.

   1. The act of forgiving.

   To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses. Dan.

   2. Pardon of an offender.

   Thou hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee. Prayer of Manass.

   Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet;
   Mine and my father’s death come not on thee,
   Nor thine on me. William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

   Forgiveness to the injur’d does belong;
   But they ne’er pardon who commit the wrong. Dryden.

   3. Pardon of an offence.

   God has certainly promised forgiveness of sin to every one who repents. Robert South, Sermons.

   4. Tenderness; willingness to pardon.

   Here are introduced more heroick principles of meekness, forgiveness, bounty and magnanimity, than all the learning of the heathens could invent. Thomas Sprat, Sermons.

   Mercy above did hourly plead
   For her resemblance here below;
   And mild forgiveness intercede
   To stop the coming blow. Dryden.

   5. Remission of a fine or penalty.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Forgiveness

   Forgiveness, in a psychological sense, is the intentional and voluntary process by which one who may initially feel victimized or wronged, goes through a change in feelings and attitude regarding a given offender, and overcomes the impact of the offense including negative emotions such as resentment and a desire for vengeance (however justified it might be). Theorists differ, however, in the extent to which they believe forgiveness also implies replacing the negative emotions with positive attitudes (i.e. an increased ability to tolerate the offender). In certain legal contexts, forgiveness is a term for absolving or giving up all claims on account of debt, loan, obligation, or other claims.On the psychological level, forgiveness is different from simple condoning (viewing an action as harmful, yet to be “forgiven” or overlooked for certain reasons of “charity”), excusing or pardoning (merely releasing the offender from responsibility for an action), or forgetting (attempting to somehow remove from one's conscious mind, the memory of a given “offense"). In some schools of thought, it involves a personal and "voluntary" effort at the self-transformation of one's own half of a relationship with another, such that one's own self is restored to peace and ideally to what psychologist Carl Rogers has referred to as “unconditional positive regard” towards the other.As a psychological concept and virtue, the benefits of forgiveness have been explored in religious thought, social sciences and medicine. Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives including forgiving themselves, in terms of the person forgiven or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In most contexts, forgiveness is granted without any expectation of restorative justice, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is incommunicado or dead). In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, an apology, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe themselves able to forgive as well.Social and political dimensions of forgiveness involves the strictly private and religious sphere of "forgiveness". The notion of "forgiveness" is generally considered unusual in the political field. However, Hannah Arendt considers that the "faculty of forgiveness" has its place in public affairs. The philosopher believes that forgiveness can liberate resources both individually and collectively in the face of the irreparable. During an investigation in Rwanda on the discourses and practices of forgiveness after the 1994 genocide, sociologist Benoit Guillou illustrated the extreme polysemy (multiple meanings) of the word "forgiveness" but also the eminently political character of the notion. By way of conclusion of his work, the author proposes four main figures of forgiveness to better understand, on the one hand, ambiguous uses and, on the other hand, the conditions under which forgiveness can mediate a resumption of social link.Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and divine forgiveness. The term forgiveness can be used interchangeably and is interpreted many different ways by people and cultures. This is specifically important in relational communication because forgiveness is a key component in communication and the overall progression as an individual and couple or group. When all parties have a mutual viewing for forgiveness then a relationship can be maintained. "Understanding antecedents of forgiveness, exploring the physiology of forgiveness, and training people to become more forgiving all imply that we have a shared meaning for the term".

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Forgivenessnoun

   the act of forgiving; the state of being forgiven; as, the forgiveness of sin or of injuries

2. Forgivenessnoun

   disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Forgiveness

   Forgiveness is the renunciation or cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offence, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offence or debt'. The concept and benefits of forgiveness have been explored in religious thought, the social sciences and medicine. Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives including forgiving themselves, in terms of the person forgiven or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In most contexts, forgiveness is granted without any expectation of restorative justice, and without any response on the part of the offender. In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, an apology, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe himself able to forgive. Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness of one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and divine forgiveness.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. forgiveness

   The act and fact of to forgive.

   Their forgiveness empowered the creation of peace, unity, love and understanding, optimum health and shared prosperity for all.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on April 4, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Kindness
   • Mercy

How to pronounce forgiveness?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say forgiveness in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of forgiveness in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of forgiveness in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of forgiveness in a Sentence

1. Russell Moore:

   I think the death of Billy Graham is a time for all of us to reflect on the hope that Billy Graham preached – forgiveness of sins and peace with God through Jesus Christ, i hope there’s a great deal of reflection, not just on what Billy Graham did, but why.

2. Angel Enriquez:

   But if you talk to someone who comes from poverty, or someone who’s a person of color, they are going to benefit from the forgiveness program the most because they’re the ones that have to jump through extra financial hoops in order to get where everyone else in the educated country is.

3. Debasish Mridha, M.D.:

   Always be kind. Every one needs it. Practice forgiveness.

4. Jaroslaw Kaczynski:

   Forgiveness is necessary but, but forgiveness after admitting guilt and administering proper punishment. This is what we need.

5. Debasish Mridha, M.D.:

   Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it is an attribute of bravery.

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