имя существительное 1) извинение Например: to demand an apology — потребовать извинений public apology — публичные извинения sincere apology — искренние извинения I make no apology to the readers for the subjoined extract. — Я не извиняюсь перед читателями за отрывок, добавленный в конце. to make one's apology for something to somebody — принести извинения, извиниться за что-либо перед кем-либо May I give my sincere and abject apology for the incident? — Примите мои искренние и покорные извинения за этот инцидент. Синоним(ы): excuse 2) защита, оправдание Например: The consequence of those measures will be the best apology for my conduct. — Результаты этих мер будут лучшим оправданием моего поведения. Синоним(ы): defence, protection, excuse 3) [используется в разговорной речи] жалкое подобие, слабое подобие (чего-либо) Например: mere apology for a dinner — пародия на обед One historian was said to have had no nose at all, only an apology for one. — Про одного историка говорили, что у него совсем нет носа, а только так, какое-то подобие.
noun (plural -gies) Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek, from apo- + logos speech — more at legend 1. a. a formal justification; defense b. excuse 2a 2. an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret Example: a public apology 3. a poor substitute; makeshift Synonyms: apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances Example: said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could. apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position Example: his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy. excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure Example: used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting. plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy Example: her usual plea that she was nearsighted. pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation Example: used any pretext to get out of work. alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation Example: his alibi failed to stand scrutiny.