EXCU'SE, v.t. s as z. [L. excuso; ex and causor, to blame. See Cause.] 1. To pardon; to free from the imputation of fault or blame; to acquit of guilt. We excuse a person in our own minds, when we acquit him of guilt or blame; or we excuse him by a declaration of that acquital.2. To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook. We excuse a fault, which admits of apology or extenuation; and we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it.3. To free from an obligation or duty.I pray thee have me excused. Luke 14.4. To remit; not to exact; as, to excuse a forfeiture.5. To pardon; to admit an apology for.Excuse some courtly strains.6. To throw off an imputation by apology.Think you that we excuse ourselves to you? 2 cor.12.7. To justify; to vindicate.Their thoughts accusing or else excusing one another. Rom.2.EXCU'SE, n. A plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology. Every man has an excuse to offer for his neglect of duty; the debtor makes excuses for delay of payment. 1. The act of excusing or apologizing.2. That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault. His inability to comply with the request must be his excuse.
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