apology

apology
apology (n.) early 15c., "defense, justification," from L.L. apologia, from Gk. apologia "a speech in defense," from apologeisthai "to speak in one's defense," from apologos "an account, story," from apo- "from, off" (see APO- (Cf. apo-)) + logos "speech" (see LECTURE (Cf. lecture) (n.)).
The original English sense of "self-justification" yielded a meaning "frank expression of regret for wrong done," first recorded 1590s, but this was not the main sense until 18c. The old sense tends to emerge in Latin form apologia (first attested in English 1784), especially since J.H. Newman's "Apologia pro Vita Sua" (1864).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apology — UK US /əˈpɒlədʒi/ noun (plural apologies) ► [C or U] the act of saying sorry or a message that says sorry: »An apology and a refund are being sent to the customer. issue/make an apology »The hotel has issued an apology for its mistake. »a letter… …   Financial and business terms

  • apology — apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi denote the reason or reasons offered in explanation or defense of something (as an act, a policy, or a view). In general use apology implies that one has been, at least apparently, in the wrong; it… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Apology — A*pol o*gy, v. i. To offer an apology. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] For which he can not well apology. J. Webster. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apology — ► NOUN (pl. apologies) 1) a regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure. 2) (an apology for) a very poor example of. 3) a justification or defence. ORIGIN Greek apologia a speech in one s own defence …   English terms dictionary

  • apology — [ə päl′ə jē] n. pl. apologies [LL(Ec) apologia < Gr, a speaking in defense < apologeisthai, to speak in defense < apo , from + logos, speech: see LOGIC] 1. a formal spoken or written defense of some idea, religion, philosophy, etc. 2. an …   English World dictionary

  • apology — index expiation Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • apology — [n] offering of remorse, regret acknowledgment, admission, amends, atonement, concession, confession, defense, excuse, explanation, extenuation, justification, mea culpa, mitigation, plea, redress, reparation, vindication; concepts 48,67 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • apology — a|pol|o|gy S3 [əˈpɔlədʒi US əˈpa: ] n plural apologies [Date: 1500 1600; : Late Latin; Origin: apologia written or spoken defense , from Greek, from apo ( APOCALYPSE) + logos speech ] 1.) [U and C] something that you say or write to show that you …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • apology — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ abject (esp. BrE), humble, profuse ▪ It was a mistake. My profuse apologies. ▪ heartfelt, profound, sincere ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

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