apologetic








adjective

  1. containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.: An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
  2. defending by speech or writing.
  3. willing or eager to apologize.
  4. sorry; regretful.

adjective

  1. expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
  2. protecting or defending in speech or writing
adj.

1640s, “vindicatory,” from French apologétique, from Latin apologeticus, from Greek apologetikos “defensible,” from apologeisthai (see apology). Meaning “regretfully acknowledging failure” is from 1855. As a noun, “formal defense,” from early 15c. Related: Apologetics (c.1753).

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