pardoner

American  

[pahr-dn-er] / ˈpɑr dn ər /

noun

1. a person who pardons.

2. (during the Middle Ages) an ecclesiastical official authorized to sell indulgences.

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pardoner British  

/ ˈpɑːdənə /

noun

1. (before the Reformation) a person licensed to sell ecclesiastical indulgences

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Etymology

Origin of pardoner

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; pardon, -er ¹

Example Sentences

I stopped a fat pardoner riding apace for Holywood. 

From The Black Arrow by Stevenson, Robert Louis

There was a pardoner, a man who sold pardons to those who had done wrong, and a sumpnour or summoner, who was so ugly and vile that children were afraid of him.

From English Literature for Boys and Girls by Marshall, H. E. (Henrietta Elizabeth)

Truly a pardoner! that may be true; But a true pardoner doth not ensue.

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1 by Hazlitt, William Carew

Dear prison'd soul bear up a space, For soon or late the certain grace; To set thee free and bear thee home, The heavenly pardoner death shall come.

From Leaves of Grass by Whitman, Walt

He next succeeded in obtaining the patronage of a pardoner who travelled from place to place selling indulgences and relics.

From Legends & Romances of Spain by Spence, Lewis