What’s something you’ve forgiven but haven’t forgotten? View all responses The following tries to recapture some of the semantic history of the two words as an answer, using the Online Etymology Dictionary resources below: 1. forgive (v.): Middle English foryeven, from Old English forgiefan “give, grant, allow; remit (a debt), pardon (an offense),” also “give … More Do you still grasp onto those things, thoughts and feelings you thought you had given up completely to another or moved to another space.