GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Excuse , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excused ; p. pr. & vb. n. Excusing.] [OE. escusen, cusen, OF. escuser, excuser, F. excuser, fr. L. excusare; ex out + causa cause, causari to plead. See Cause.]
   To free from accusation, or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge; to justify by extenuating a fault; to exculpate; to absolve; to acquit.
   1913 Webster
   A man's persuasion that a thing is duty, will not excuse him from guilt in practicing it, if really and indeed it be against Gog's law.
   Abp. Sharp.
   
   1913 Webster
   To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook; as, we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it.
   1913 Webster
   I must excuse what can not be amended.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   To regard with indulgence; to view leniently or to overlook; to pardon.
   1913 Webster
   And in our own (excuse some courtly stains.)
   No whiter page than Addison remains.
   Pope.
   
   1913 Webster
   To free from an impending obligation or duty; hence, to disengage; to dispense with; to release by favor; also, to remit by favor; not to exact; as, to excuse a forfeiture.
   1913 Webster
   I pray thee have me excused.
   xiv. 19.
   
   1913 Webster
   To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
   1913 Webster
   Think ye that we excuse ourselves to you?
   2 Cor. xii. 19.
   Syn. -- To vindicate; exculpate; absolve; acquit. - To Pardon, Excuse, Forgive. A superior pardons as an act of mercy or generosity; either a superior or an equal excuses. A crime, great fault, or a grave offence, as one against law or morals, may be pardoned; a small fault, such as a failure in social or conventional obligations, slight omissions or neglects may be excused. Forgive relates to offenses against one's self, and punishment foregone; as, to forgive injuries or one who has injured us; to pardon grave offenses, crimes, and criminals; to excuse an act of forgetfulness, an unintentional offense. Pardon is also a word of courtesy employed in the sense of excuse.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Excuse , n. [Cf. F. excuse. See Excuse, v. t.]
   The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation.
   1913 Webster
   Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   That which is offered as a reason for being excused; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology; as, an excuse for neglect of duty; excuses for delay of payment.
   1913 Webster
   Hence with denial vain and coy excuse.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault. “It hath the excuse of youth.”  
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   If eyes were made for seeing.
   Then beauty is its own excuse for being.
   Emerson.
   Syn. -- See Apology.
   1913 Webster