forgiving

forgiving [fer-giv-ing] ExamplesWord Origin adjective

1. disposed to forgive; indicating forgiveness: a forgiving soul; a forgiving smile.
2. tolerant: The mountain is not forgiving of inexperienced climbers.

Origin of forgiving First recorded in 1680–90; forgive + -ing2 Related formsfor·giv·ing·ly, adverbfor·giv·ing·ness, nounnon·for·giv·ing, adjective Examples from the Web for forgivingness Historical Examples of forgivingness

This reconciliation on the fall of the sword was a token of the forgivingness of the North toward the chastened foes.

The Lincoln Story Book

Henry L. Williams

Tenney stood there, his heart swelling within him at the contrast between the child’s forgivingness and her cruelty.

Old Crow

Alice Brown

As to what had taken place in the morning, he knew Clare’s forgivingness, and despised him for it.

A Rough Shaking

George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for forgivingness forgiving adjective

1. willing to forgive; merciful

Derived Formsforgivingly, adverbforgivingness, noun Word Origin and History for forgivingness forgiving adj.

“inclined to forgive,” 1680s, from present participle of forgive. Related: Forgivingness.