apology

apology
noun (plural -gies) Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek, from apo- + logos speech — more at legend Date: 1533 1. a. a formal justification ; defense b. excuse 2a 2. an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret <
a public apology
>
3. a poor substitute ; makeshift Synonyms: apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances <
said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could
>
. apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position <
his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy
>
. excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure <
used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting
>
. plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy <
her usual plea that she was nearsighted
>
. pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation <
used any pretext to get out of work
>
. alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation <
his alibi failed to stand scrutiny
>
.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Apology — A*pol o*gy, n.; pl. {Apologies}. [L. apologia, Gr. ?; ? from + ?: cf. F. apologie. See {Apologetic}.] 1. Something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others wrong, or of what may be liable to disapprobation;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apology — UK US /əˈpɒlədʒi/ noun (plural apologies) ► [C or U] the act of saying sorry or a message that says sorry: »An apology and a refund are being sent to the customer. issue/make an apology »The hotel has issued an apology for its mistake. »a letter… …   Financial and business terms

  • apology — apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi denote the reason or reasons offered in explanation or defense of something (as an act, a policy, or a view). In general use apology implies that one has been, at least apparently, in the wrong; it… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Apology — A*pol o*gy, v. i. To offer an apology. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] For which he can not well apology. J. Webster. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apology — ► NOUN (pl. apologies) 1) a regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure. 2) (an apology for) a very poor example of. 3) a justification or defence. ORIGIN Greek apologia a speech in one s own defence …   English terms dictionary

  • apology — [ə päl′ə jē] n. pl. apologies [LL(Ec) apologia < Gr, a speaking in defense < apologeisthai, to speak in defense < apo , from + logos, speech: see LOGIC] 1. a formal spoken or written defense of some idea, religion, philosophy, etc. 2. an …   English World dictionary

  • apology — index expiation Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • apology — (n.) early 15c., defense, justification, from L.L. apologia, from Gk. apologia a speech in defense, from apologeisthai to speak in one s defense, from apologos an account, story, from apo from, off (see APO (Cf. apo )) + logos speech (see …   Etymology dictionary

  • apology — [n] offering of remorse, regret acknowledgment, admission, amends, atonement, concession, confession, defense, excuse, explanation, extenuation, justification, mea culpa, mitigation, plea, redress, reparation, vindication; concepts 48,67 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • apology — a|pol|o|gy S3 [əˈpɔlədʒi US əˈpa: ] n plural apologies [Date: 1500 1600; : Late Latin; Origin: apologia written or spoken defense , from Greek, from apo ( APOCALYPSE) + logos speech ] 1.) [U and C] something that you say or write to show that you …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • apology — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ abject (esp. BrE), humble, profuse ▪ It was a mistake. My profuse apologies. ▪ heartfelt, profound, sincere ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

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