| / English Dictionary |
APOLOGY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A poor example
Example:
a poor excuse for an automobile
Synonyms:
apology; excuse
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("apology" is a kind of...):
example; illustration; instance; representative (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)
Sense 2
Meaning:
An expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
Example:
he wrote a letter of apology to the hostess
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("apology" is a kind of...):
acknowledgement; acknowledgment (a statement acknowledging something or someone)
Derivation:
apologetic (offering or expressing apology)
apologise (acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing)
apologise (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning)
apologize (acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A formal written defense of something you believe in strongly
Synonyms:
apologia; apology
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("apology" is a kind of...):
defence; defense; vindication (the justification for some act or belief)
Derivation:
apologetic (offering or expressing apology)
apologise (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning)
apologist (a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution)
Context examples:
I had totally forgotten him. My dear Watson, I owe you a thousand apologies.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Finally, with a shamefaced apology for his weakness, he rose once more.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“My dear Watson,” said the well-remembered voice, “I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no idea that you would be so affected.”
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"We have heard Sir John admire it excessively," said Lucy, who seemed to think some apology necessary for the freedom of her sister.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
I only wanted to prove to you that Mrs. S. admits our apology, and is not offended.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
It is indeed good of you to come and see an old, lonely woman, said she, and I owe you an apology that I should give you a fruitless journey on Tuesday, but in a sense you were yourselves the cause of it, since the thought of your coming had excited me, and any excitement throws me into a nervous fever.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But repeating his visits often, expressing his joy to find I me in good health, asking, whether I were now settled for life? adding, that he intended a voyage to the East Indies in two months, at last he plainly invited me, though with some apologies, to be surgeon of the ship; that I should have another surgeon under me, beside our two mates; that my salary should be double to the usual pay; and that having experienced my knowledge in sea-affairs to be at least equal to his, he would enter into any engagement to follow my advice, as much as if I had shared in the command.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Fanny was just beginning to collect herself, and to feel that if she staid longer behind it might seem disrespectful, when this point was settled, and being commissioned with the brother and sister's apology, saw them preparing to go as she quitted the room herself to perform the dreadful duty of appearing before her uncle.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
I obliged myself to say that I was glad he had made his apology.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
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