n.
(pl. apologies)
- a regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure.
▸
(apologies)
a formal expression of regret at being unable to attend a meeting or social function.
-
(an apology for)
a very poor example of.
- a justification or defence.
Etymology
C16: from Fr. apologie, or via late L. from Gk apologia ‘a speech in one's own defence’, from apo ‘away’+ -logia (see -logy).
