■ verb ɪk'skju:z , ɛk-
1》 try or serve to justify (a fault or offence); mitigate.
↘forgive (a fault or offence, or a person committing one).
2》 release from a duty or requirement.
↘(used in polite formulas) allow to leave a room or gathering.
↘( ~ oneself ) say politely that one is leaving.
■ noun ɪk'skju:s , ɛk-
1》 a defence or justification of a fault or offence.
2》 something said to conceal the real reason for an action.
3》 ( an ~ for ) informal a poor or inadequate example of.
Phrases
~ me a polite apology for an interruption, asking someone to move, etc.
↘ N. Amer. used to ask someone to repeat a remark.
Derivatives
excusable adjective
excusably adverb
excusatory adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. escuser (v.), from L. excusare 'to free from blame', from ex- 'out' + causa 'accusation, cause'.