APOLOGIZE

apologize, apologise

(verb) acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing; “I apologized for being late”; “He apologized for the many typoes”

apologize, apologise, excuse, rationalize, rationalise

(verb) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; “rationalize the child’s seemingly crazy behavior”; “he rationalized his lack of success”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

apologize (third-person singular simple present apologizes, present participle apologizing, simple past and past participle apologized)

(intransitive, often followed by “for”) To make an apology or excuse; to acknowledge some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends

(intransitive) To express regret that a certain event has occurred.

(intransitive, dated) To make an apologia or defense; to act as apologist.

Source: Wiktionary

A*pol"o*gize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Apologized; p. pr. & vb. n. Apologizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. apologiser.]

1. To make an apology or defense. Dr. H. More.

2. To make an apology or excuse; to make acknowledgment of some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends; -- with for; as, my correspondent apologized for not answering my letter. To apologize for his insolent language. Froude.

A*pol"o*gize, v. t.

Definition: To defend. [Obs.] The Christians . . . were apologized by Plinie. Dr. G. Benson.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition