excuse
n : a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep
a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every
day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his
transparent self-justification was unacceptable" [syn: {alibi},
{self-justification}]
v 1: accept an excuse for; "Please excuse my dirty hands" [syn: {pardon}]
2: grant exemption or release to; "Please excuse me from this
class [syn: {relieve}, {let off}, {exempt}]
3: serve as an excuse for [syn: {explain}]
4: make excuses for [syn: {apologize}, {apologise}, {justify},
{rationalize}]
5: ask for permission to be released from an engagement [syn: {beg
off}]
6: excuse or make allowances for; be lenient with; "excuse
someone's behavior" [syn: {condone}]