excuse [ɪkˈskjuːz]

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¹ excuse verb

• to forgive someone for making a mistake, doing something wrong, etc.,
• to say that (someone) is not required to do something
• to allow (someone, such as a child) to leave

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² excuse noun

• a reason that you give to explain a mistake, bad behavior, etc.
• reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
• something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable—usually used in negative statements