Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-CUSE', v.t. [s as z. L. excuso; ex and causor, to blame, See Cause.]

1. To pardon; to free from the imputation of fault or blame; to acquit of guilt. We excuse a person in our own minds, when we acquit him of guilt or blame; or we excuse him by a declaration of that acquittal.
2. To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook. We excuse a fault which admits of apology or extenuation; and we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it.
3. To free from an obligation or duty. I pray thee have me excused. Luke xiv.
4. To remit; not to exact; as, to excuse a forfeiture. Johnson.
5. To pardon; to admit an apology for. Excuse some courtly strains. Pope.
6. To throw off an imputation by apology. Think you that we excuse ourselves to you? 2 Cor. xii.
7. To justify; to vindicate. Their thoughts accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. ii.