Bygones

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbaɪˌɡɑnz/

Definitions

1. Referring to events, circumstances, or issues from the past that are best left forgotten or disregarded
2. emphasizing a sense of moving on from previous conflicts or grievances
3. often used in the context of encouraging reconciliation by letting go of past mistakes

Etymology: "Bygones" is the plural of "bygone," so it is the plural form of a noun that means something belonging to the past. The singular is built from "by," in its old sense of "past" or "gone by," and "gone," the past participle of "go." Together they describe something that has already passed away. The plural is most familiar in the set phrase "let bygones be bygones," which asks people to set aside old grievances. Here the word's plural carries the whole meaning: the quarrels, slights and events of earlier times, collectively treated as finished business that no longer needs to be pursued.