n.
Pronunciation: i- ' so ̇ in
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English essoine, from Anglo-French, from essonier to offer an essoin, from es- ex- + *soigne legal excuse, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Saxon sunnea denial, Old English s ō th truth ― more at SOOTH
Date: 14th century
1 : an excuse for not appearing in an English law court at the appointed time
2 obsolete : EXCUSE , DELAY