Definition of "apology" []

• An acknowledgment expressing regret or asking pardon for a fault or offense. (noun)
• A formal justification or defense. (noun)
• An explanation or excuse: "The consequence of those measures will be the best apology for my conduct” ( Daniel Defoe). (noun)
• An inferior substitute: The sagging cot was a poor apology for a bed. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "[602] It was anything but an apology, unless _apology_ is used in its old meaning of _defence_."
• "There are now powerful incentives on both sides to repair their relations, although the word apology still remains a major obstacle."
• "Perhaps the Conservatives could issue a portmanteau apology for any other unscrupulous rightwing notions they may have nursed while Labour were lucky enough to be in charge?"