v. [APOLOGY + -IZE; cf. Gr. ἀπολογέ-εσθαι to speak in defence: ἀπολογίζ-εσθαι, to which the formation corresponds, is a deriv. of ἀπόλογος APOLOGUE.]
1. intr. To speak in, or serve as, justification, explanation, or palliation of a fault, failure, or anything that may cause dissatisfaction; to offer defensive arguments; to make excuses. Also in modern usage: To acknowledge and express regret for a fault without defence, by way of reparation to the feelings of the person affected. Const. for.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wars, IV. ii. Enforced to apologize With foreign states for two enormous things.
1656. H. More, Antid. Ath., Pref. 12. I can justly apologize for my self that Necessity has no law.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 96. They had very little wine, which the governor apologised for.
1755. Mem. Capt. P. Drake, Ded., A 3. Even in Circumstances which might well have apologized for such a Conduct.
1860. J. W. Kaye, in Cornh. Mag., 243. We are wont, in a sneaking, contemptible sort of way, to apologize for our holidays.
1878. Seeley, Stein, III. 497. Stein, as usual, sins by over-emphatic expressions for which he later freely apologises.
† 2. trans. (by omission of prep. for.) Obs. rare.
1733. Swift, Apol., Wks. 1755, IV. I. 212. The doctor takes his hint from hence, T’ apologise his late offence.
