excuse

Main Entry:: ¹ex·cuse
Pronunciation:: \ik-ˈskyüz, imperatively often ˈskyüz\
Function:: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s):: ex·cused; ex·cus·ing
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French escuser, excuser, from Latin excusare, from ex- + causa cause, explanation
Date:: 13th century

1 a: to make apology for b: to try to remove blame from2: to forgive entirely or disregard as of trivial import : regard as excusable <graciously excused his tardiness>3 a: to grant exemption or release to <was excused from jury duty> b: to allow to leave <excused the class>4: to serve as excuse for : justify <nothing can excuse such neglect>

— ex·cus·able

\ik-ˈskyü-zə-bəl\ adjective

— ex·cus·able·ness noun

— ex·cus·ably

\-blē\ adverb

— ex·cus·er noun

synonyms excuse , condone , pardon , forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these <excuse an interruption> <excused them for interrupting>. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances <injustice excuses strong responses>. condone implies that one overlooks without censure behavior (as dishonesty or violence) that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or to the agent responsible for it <a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics>. pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense <pardon a criminal>. forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings <could not forgive their rudeness>.

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