An excuse; a legal excuse put in for non-appearance.

An excuse, a real or alleged ground of excuse; a plea or apology; = excuse, n. 2 3. for an offence, etc.

That which is pleaded, urged, or argued in justification or excuse; an appeal, an entreaty; an argument; an apology, an excuse.

= excuse, n. 2.

An excuse, a self-justification; a plea.

An excuse. Obsolete.

That which is offered as a reason for being excused; sometimes in bad sense, a (mere) pretext, a subterfuge. A plea in extenuation of an offence.

A statement giving a reason or excuse for something; the action or an act of making such a statement. Obsolete.

= excuse, n.

A means of escape from blame, responsibility, etc.; an excuse. Frequently in negative contexts. Obsolete.

Less formally: Justification, explanation, or excuse, of an incident or course of action.

colloquial. In weakened sense: an excuse, pretext, or justification.

colloquial (originally U.S.). A means of escape or avoidance; a way out; (hence) an excuse, defence, or alibi.