CONDONATION

condonation (kon-d<<schwa>>-nay-sh<<schwa>>n), n.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.] [Blacks Law 8th]