pardoner — English Dictionary

Noun

1. One who pardons.

2. In medieval Catholicism, a person licensed to grant papal pardons or indulgences.

   Usage

   • Historical

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   […] old men, cheated by their wives and daughters, pillaged by their sons, and imposed on by their domestics, a braggadocia captain, a knavish pardoner or quaestionary, a country bumpkin and a wanton city dame.

   1917, Catholic Encyclopedia, "Collections" These grants of Indulgence were often entrusted to preachers of note ("Pardoners") who carried them from town to town, collecting money and using their eloquence to recommend the good work in question and to enhance the spiritual privileges attached to it.

Noun

1. a person who pardons or forgives or excuses a fault or offense

   Synonyms

   forgiverexcuser

   Broader terms

   actordoerworker

2. a medieval cleric who raised money for the church by selling papal indulgences

   Broader terms

   clericdivineecclesiastic