apology

The definition of an apology is a formal written or spoken declaration of someone's sorrow or regret over having harmed someone else.

(noun)

An example of an apology is a child saying he is sorry for hitting another.

See apology in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. apologies

a formal spoken or written defense of some idea, religion, philosophy, etc.
an acknowledgment of some fault, injury, insult, etc., with an expression of regret and a plea for pardon
an inferior substitute; makeshift: he is a poor apology for an actor

Origin: LL(Ec) apologia < Gr, a speaking in defense < apologeisthai, to speak in defense < apo-, from + logos, speech: see logic

See apology in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. a·pol·o·gies

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

Origin:

Origin: Latin apologia

Origin: , from Greek apologiā

Origin: : apo-, apo-

Origin: + logos, speech; see leg- in Indo-European roots

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