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apologies

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apologies


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Apology  \A*pol"o*gy\,  n.;  pl  {Apologies}.  [L.  apologia,  Gr  ?; 
  ?  from  +  ?:  cf  F.  apologie.  See  {Apologetic}.] 
  1.  Something  said  or  written  in  defense  or  justification  of 
  what  appears  to  others  wrong  or  of  what  may  be  liable  to 
  disapprobation;  justification;  as  Tertullian's  Apology 
  for  Christianity. 
 
  It  is  not  my  intention  to  make  an  apology  for  my 
  poem;  some  will  think  it  needs  no  excuse,  and  others 
  will  receive  none.  --Dryden. 
 
  2.  An  acknowledgment  intended  as  an  atonement  for  some 
  improper  or  injurious  remark  or  act  an  admission  to 
  another  of  a  wrong  or  discourtesy  done  him  accompanied  by 
  an  expression  of  regret. 
 
  3.  Anything  provided  as  a  substitute;  a  makeshift. 
 
  He  goes  to  work  devising  apologies  for  window 
  curtains.  --Dickens. 
 
  Syn:  {Excuse}. 
 
  Usage:  An  apology,  in  the  original  sense  of  the  word  was  a 
  pleading  off  from  some  charge  or  imputation,  by 
  explaining  and  defending  one's  principles  or  conduct. 
  It  therefore  amounted  to  a  vindication.  One  who  offers 
  an  apology,  admits  himself  to  have  been  at  least 
  apparently,  in  the  wrong  but  brings  forward  some 
  palliating  circumstance,  or  tenders  a  frank 
  acknowledgment,  by  way  of  reparation.  We  make  an 
  apology  for  some  breach  of  propriety  or  decorum  (like 
  rude  expressions,  unbecoming  conduct,  etc.),  or  some 
  deficiency  in  what  might  be  reasonably  expected.  We 
  offer  an  excuse  when  we  have  been  guilty  of  some 
  breach  or  neglect  of  duty;  and  we  do  it  by  way  of 
  extenuating  our  fault,  and  with  a  view  to  be  forgiven. 
  When  an  excuse  has  been  accepted,  an  apology  may 
  still  in  some  cases,  be  necessary  or  appropriate. 
  ``An  excuse  is  not  grounded  on  the  claim  of  innocence, 
  but  is  rather  an  appeal  for  favor  resting  on  some 
  collateral  circumstance.  An  apology  mostly  respects 
  the  conduct  of  individuals  toward  each  other  as 
  equals;  it  is  a  voluntary  act  produced  by  feelings  of 
  decorum,  or  a  desire  for  the  good  opinion  of  others.'' 
  --Crabb. 




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