EXCU'SE, verb transitive s as z. [Latin 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 14:18.

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 Corinthians 12:19.

7. To justify; to vindicate.

Their thoughts accusing or else excusing one another. Romans 2:1.

EXCU'SE, noun 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