2. An acknowledgment intended as an atonement for some improper or injurious remark or act; an admission
to another of a wrong or discourtesy done him, accompanied by an expression of regret.
3. Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.
He goes to work devising apologies for window curtains.
Dickens.
Syn. — Excuse. An apology, in the original sense of the word, was a pleading off from some charge
or imputation, by explaining and defending one's principles or conduct. It therefore amounted to a vindication.
One who offers an apology, admits himself to have been, at least apparently, in the wrong, but brings
forward some palliating circumstance, or tenders a frank acknowledgment, by way of reparation. We
make an apology for some breach of propriety or decorum (like rude expressions, unbecoming conduct,
etc.), or some deficiency in what might be reasonably expected. We offer an excuse when we have
been guilty of some breach or neglect of duty; and we do it by way of extenuating our fault, and with
a view to be forgiven. When an excuse has been accepted, an apology may still, in some cases, be
necessary or appropriate. "An excuse is not grounded on the claim of innocence, but is rather an appeal
for favor resting on some collateral circumstance. An apology mostly respects the conduct of individuals
toward each other as equals; it is a voluntary act produced by feelings of decorum, or a desire for the
good opinion of others." Crabb.
Apology
(A*pol"o*gy) v. i. To offer an apology. [Obs.]
For which he can not well apology.
J. Webster.
Apomecometer
(Ap`o*me*com"e*ter), n. An instrument for measuring the height of objects. Knight.
Apomecometry
(Ap`o*me*com"e*try), n. [Pref. apo- + Gr. length + -metry.] The art of measuring the
distance of objects afar off. [Obs. or R.]
Apomorphia
(||Ap`o*mor"phi*a Ap`o*mor"phine) n. [Pref. apo- + morphia, morphine.] (Chem.) A
crystalline alkaloid obtained from morphia. It is a powerful emetic.
Aponeurosis
(||Ap`o*neu*ro"sis) n.; pl. Aponeuroses [Gr. fr. to pass into a tendon; from + to strain the
sinews, sinew, tendon, nerve.] (Anat.) Any one of the thicker and denser of the deep fasciæ which cover,
invest, and the terminations and attachments of, many muscles. They often differ from tendons only in
being flat and thin. See Fascia.
Aponeurotic
(Ap`o*neu*rot"ic) a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to an aponeurosis.
Aponeurotomy
(Ap`o*neu*rot"o*my) n. [Aponeurosis + Gr. a cutting.] Dissection of aponeuroses.
Apopemptic
(Ap`o*pemp"tic) a. [Gr. 'apopemptiko`s, fr. 'apope`mpein to send off or away; 'apo` from
+ pe`mpein to send.] Sung or addressed to one departing; valedictory; as, apopemptic songs or hymns.
[1913
Webster]
Apophasis
(||A*poph"a*sis) n. [Gr. 'apo`fasis denial, fr. 'apofa`nai to speak out, to deny.] (Rhet.) A
figure by which a speaker formally declines to take notice of a favorable point, but in such a manner as
to produce the effect desired. [For example, see Mark Antony's oration. Shak., Julius Cæsar, iii. 2.]
