n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' pä-l ə -j ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gies
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek, from apo- + logos speech ― more at LEGEND
Date: 1533
1 a : a formal justification : DEFENSE b : EXCUSE 2A
2 : an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret <a public apology >
3 : a poor substitute : MAKESHIFT
synonyms APOLOGY , APOLOGIA , EXCUSE , PLEA , PRETEXT , ALIBI mean matter offered in explanation or defense. APOLOGY usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances <said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could>. APOLOGIA implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position <his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy>. EXCUSE implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure <used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting>. PLEA stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy <her usual plea that she was nearsighted>. PRETEXT suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation <used any pretext to get out of work>. ALIBI implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation <his alibi failed to stand scrutiny>.