excuse English · revision 4515

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=a. 1225|origins=la causa}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: noun /ɪkˈskjuːs/; verb /ɪkˈskjuːz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|escusen]], later excusen,^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|fro|escuser|t=to apologize, make excuses; pardon]] (1190, modern excuser),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[la|excūsāre|t=to release from a charge, plead as an excuse]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) from ex “out, away” and causa “accusation, legal action”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) the source of [[cause]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The noun is from Old French excuse, from the verb.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun is pronounced with s, the verb with z, by analogy with pairs such as use and abuse.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To try to clear someone from blame: before 1225 in the OED, about 1225 in Barnhart, in the Ancrene Riwle,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-13th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The noun: about 1374 in the OED, about 1375 in Barnhart, in Chaucer's Anelida and Arcite.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To forgive, to accept another's plea, is from the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) and to obtain release from an obligation or duty from the mid-14th century, as in ''excuse oneself''.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) To serve as a justification for is from the 1530s.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The noun first meant a pretext or justification (late 14th century),^(Etymonline) and a reason for being excused from the mid-15th century;^(Etymonline) the earlier noun was excusation.^(Etymonline) A release from an obligation is from 1577.^(OED 1989) An inferior example, as ''a poor excuse for a meal'', and a note explaining an absence are later American senses.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) ''Excusable'' is from about 1385, in Chaucer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1225 – verb, to clear from blame.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 14th century – to forgive.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-14th century – to release from a duty.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1374 – noun.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1385 – ''excusable''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530s – to serve as justification.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To forgive or [[pardon]]: ''excuse my rudeness''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give an explanation in the hope of being forgiven or understood.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To serve as a [[justification]] for.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To release from a duty or obligation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''excuse me'': used to apologize, interrupt or ask someone to repeat something.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An explanation given to justify a fault or get forgiveness.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A reason or pretext.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(US)'' A note explaining an absence.^(AHD)

+ # ''(informal)'' An inferior example: ''a poor excuse for a teacher''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[excusable]]

+ * [[excusableness]]

+ * [[excusably]]

+ * [[excuser]]

+ * [[excusal]]

+ * [[excuseless]]

+ * [[excusingly]]

+ * [[excusive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cause]]

+ * [[accuse]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}