[apol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [MF or LL; MF apologie, fr. LL apologia, fr. Gk, fr. apo- + logos speech--more at legend] (1533) 1 a: a formal justification: defense b: excuse 2a
2: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret
3: a poor substitute: makeshift syn apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usu. applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to palliating 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 plausibility rather than truth to the explanation offered "his alibi failed to stand scrutiny".