Pardonably

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. An action characterized as excusable implies that it can be forgiven without serious censure, suggesting a degree of understanding for minor faults
2. The quality of being forgivable denotes a leniency that allows for mistakes to be overlooked with compassion and tolerance
3. In a manner that justifies forgiveness for a mistake or misdeed without harsh judgment

Etymology: "Pardonably" is a plain formation: the adjective "pardonable" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added. The adjective itself builds on "pardon," borrowed from Old French and ultimately from Latin "perdonare," a verb meaning to give up or remit, with the sense of forgiving a debt or penalty. The ending is the more ancient part. The suffix traces back through Old English "-līce" and Proto-West Germanic "-līkē" to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "body" or "form," the same root that gives English "like" in its older sense of "having the form of." Adverbs in "-ly" therefore literally describe an action as being done in the manner of something, so "pardonably" means in a way that could be pardoned.

Synonyms: forgivably, excusable