remission

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
remission/rɪˈmɪʃn/

▶noun

• 1 the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty.

  ■ Brit. the reduction of a prison sentence, especially as a reward for good behaviour.

• 2 a temporary diminution of the severity of disease or pain.

• 3 Theology forgiveness of sins.

– origin ME: from OFr., or from L. remissio(n-), from remittere (see remit).