forgiving
UK: fəˈɡɪv.ɪŋ | US: fərˈɡɪv.ɪŋ
adj. willing to pardon or overlook offenses; lenient
adj. showing mercy or tolerance
v. (present participle of "forgive") granting pardon or ceasing resentment
The word "forgiving" combines "for-" (Old English prefix meaning "away" or "opposite") with "give" (Old English "giefan," meaning "to grant"). The suffix "-ing" turns the verb into an adjective. Historically, "forgive" originally meant "to give up" (e.g., resentment), evolving into its modern sense of pardoning. The morphemes reflect a literal act of "giving away" negative feelings.
She has a forgiving nature and rarely holds grudges.
The teacher was forgiving when the student apologized for the late submission.
Forgiveness requires a forgiving heart.
His forgiving attitude helped mend their friendship.
The judge was surprisingly forgiving in light of the defendant’s remorse.