pl. n.
 
(
in phr. make amends)
 compensate for a wrongdoing.
 
  Phrase
  
    
      - offer of amends
 Law  an offer to publish a correction and an apology for an act of libel. 
    
   
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. amendes ‘penalties, fine’, pl. of amende ‘reparation’, from amender (see amend).