#1
excuse n. [
alibi, exculpation, self-justification] a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable"
. wn #2
excuse v. [
pardon] accept an excuse for; "Please excuse my dirty hands"
. wn #3
excuse v. [
relieve, let off, exempt] grant exemption or release to; "Please excuse me from this class"
. wn #4
excuse v. [
explain] serve as a reason or cause or justification of; "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again"
. wn #5
excuse v. [
apologize, apologise, justify, rationalize, rationalise] defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
. wn