excuse
/ɪksˈkjus/ noun A1- An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault. · Tell me why you were late – and I don't want to hear any excuses!· I had to make an excuse for being late to the meeting.
- A defense to a criminal or civil charge wherein the accused party admits to doing acts for which legal consequences would normally be appropriate, but asserts that special circumstances relieve that party of culpability for having done those acts.
- An example of something that is substandard or of inferior quality. · That thing is a poor excuse for a gingerbread man. Hasn't anyone taught you how to bake?· He's a sorry excuse for a doctor.
Plural excuses
From the library
Please excuse me for just a moment.
“No,” said Marilla slowly, “I’m not trying to excuse her.
But that is no excuse for such behavior on your part.
Please excuse mistakes because my spelling isn’t very good yet, although much improoved.
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