1. A victim’s express or (esp.) implied forgiveness of an offense, esp. by treating the offender as if there had been no offense. • Condonation is not usu. a valid defense to a crime.
2. One spouse’s express or implied forgiveness of a marital offense by resuming marital life and sexual intimacy. • For example, one spouse might impliedly forgive the other spouse’s infidelity by continuing to live with him or her. If adultery is charged as a ground for divorce and condonation is proved, the forgiving spouse is barred from proof of that offense. Cf. COLLUSION(2); CONNIVANCE(2); RECRIMINATION(1); RECONCILIATION. [Cases: Divorce 47. C.J.S. Divorce § 80.]
