pardon - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online

Date:	1200-1300
Language:	Old French
Origin:	pardoner, from Late Latin perdonare 'to give freely'

pardon
2 verb

somebody may be pardoned for doing something

used to say that it is easy to understand why someone has done something or why they think something:

Anyone reading the advertisement might be pardoned for thinking that the offer was genuine.

spoken

a) used to say 'sorry' politely when you have accidentally pushed someone or interrupted them:

Oh, pardon me, I didn't mean to disturb you.

b) used to say 'sorry' politely after you have made an impolite sound such as a burp

c) used before you politely correct someone or disagree with them:

James, if you'll pardon me, you've got it all wrong.

d) used to politely get someone's attention in order to ask them a question [= excuse me]:

Pardon me, can you direct me to City Hall?

spoken used to politely ask if you can interrupt someone, ask them a question, or tell them something:

Pardon me for saying so, but you don't look well.

spoken used when you want to say something which you think may make you seem not to know enough or not to be polite enough:

Pardon my ignorance, but what does OPEC stand for?

spoken used when you are saying that you are sorry for using an impolite phrase:

It was a bit of a cock-up, if you'll pardon the expression.

spoken used humorously to say that you are sorry for using a swear word

spoken used when you are annoyed because you think someone has answered you angrily for no good reason:

'Shut up, Callum!' 'Well, pardon me for breathing.'

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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pardon² verb