Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Forgave \For*gave"\,
   imp. of {Forgive}.

Forgive \For*give"\, v. t. [imp. {Forgave}; p. p. {Forgiven}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Forgiving}] [OE. forgiven, foryiven, foryeven,
   AS. forgiefan, forgifan; perh. for- + giefan, gifan to give;
   cf. D. vergeven, G. vergeben, Icel. fyrirgefa, Sw. f?rgifva,
   Goth. fragiban to give, grant. See {For-}, and {Give}, v. t.]
   1. To give wholly; to make over without reservation; to
      resign.

            To them that list the world's gay shows I leave, And
            to great ones such folly do forgive.  --Spenser.

   2. To give up resentment or claim to requital on account of
      (an offense or wrong); to remit the penalty of; to pardon;
      -- said in reference to the act forgiven.

            And their sins should be forgiven them. --Mark iv.
                                                  12.

            He forgive injures so readily that he might be said
            to invite them.                       --Macaulay.

   3. To cease to feel resentment against, on account of wrong
      committed; to give up claim to requital from or
      retribution upon (an offender); to absolve; to pardon; --
      said of the person offending.

            Father, forgive them; for they know not what they
            do.                                   --Luke xxiii.
                                                  34.

            I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven.
                                                  --Shak.

   Note: Sometimes both the person and the offense follow as
         objects of the verb, sometimes one and sometimes the
         other being the indirect object. ``Forgive us our debts
         as we forgive our debtors.'' --Matt. vi. 12. ``Be of
         good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'' --Matt. ix. 2.

   Syn: See {excuse}.

Source : WordNet®

forgave
     See {forgive}

forgive
     v 1: stop blaming or grant forgiveness; "I forgave him his
          infidelity"; "She cannot forgive him for forgetting her
          birthday"
     2: absolve from payment; "I forgive you your debt"
     [also: {forgiven}, {forgave}]