n.
1.a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
2.a note explaining an absence
3.a poor example excuse v.
1.accept an excuse for
2.grant exemption or release to
3.serve as a reason or cause or justification of
4.defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
5.ask for permission to be released from an engagement
6.excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
Idiom of the Day
give (someone) a piece of one's mind
to scold or become angry with someone
When I met my friend yesterday, I gave her a piece of my mind.