alibi English · revision 82

+ ==Etymology==

+ First recorded in 1727 according to the OED^(OED 1989) and in 1743 according to Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate) It is [[bor|la|alibī|t=elsewhere]], a locative form of [[la|alius|t=other]],^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) [[der|ine-pro|*al-|t=beyond]].^(Etymonline) Wiktionary suggests the use followed French ''alibi''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ The weakened sense “excuse” is attested from 1912;^(Etymonline) Etymonline notes that, strictly, a proof of innocence that does not involve being elsewhere is an excuse rather than an alibi.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Noun==

+ '''alibi'''

+

+ # ''(law)'' A defence in which the accused claims to have been somewhere else when the offence was committed; also, the fact of having been elsewhere.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # An excuse, especially one meant to avoid blame.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A person used as one's excuse.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Verb==

+ '''alibi'''

+

+ # To provide an alibi or excuse for someone.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make an excuse for oneself.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}