v.
/
ɪkˈskjuːz,
ɛk-/
- try or serve to justify (a fault or offence); mitigate.
▸forgive (a fault or offence, or a person committing one).
- release from a duty or requirement.
▸(used in polite formulas) allow to leave a room or gathering.
▸
(excuse oneself)
say politely that one is leaving.
n.
/
ɪkˈskjuːs,
ɛk-/
- a defence or justification of a fault or offence.
- something said to conceal the real reason for an action.
-
(an excuse for)
informal a poor or inadequate example of.
Phrase
Derivative
- excusable adj.
- excusably adv.
- excusatory adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. escuser (v.), from L. excusare ‘to free from blame’, from ex- ‘out’ + causa ‘accusation, cause’.