- excuse
- excuse [ek skyo͞oz′, ikskyo͞oz′; ] for n. [, ekskyo͞os′]vt.excused, excusing [ME excusen < OFr escuser & L excusare, to free from a charge < L ex-, from + causa, a charge: see CAUSE]1. to try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate2. to try to minimize or pardon (a fault); apologize or give reasons for3. to consider (an offense or fault) as not important; overlook; pardon [excuse my rudeness]4. to release from an obligation, duty, promise, etc.5. to permit to leave6. to serve as an explanation or justification for; justify; exculpate; absolve [a selfish act that nothing will excuse]n.1. a plea in defense of or explanation for some action or behavior; apology2. a release from obligation, duty, etc.3. something that excuses; extenuating or justifying factor4. a pretended reason for conduct; pretext——————a poor excuse for or a bad excuse fora very inferior example of——————excuse oneself1. to ask that one's fault be overlooked; apologize2. to ask for permission to leave——————make one's excusesto express one's regret over not being able to attend a social gathering, etc.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.