adj.
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek apolog ē tikos, from apologeisthai to defend, from apo- + logos speech
Date: 1649
1 a : offered in defense or vindication <the apologetic writings of the early Christians> b : offered by way of excuse or apology <an apologetic smile>
2 : regretfully acknowledging fault or failure : CONTRITE <replied in an apologetic tone>
– apol · o · get · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb