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exception definition

ex·cep·tion (ek sep′s̸hən, ik-)

noun

  1. an excepting or being excepted; omission; exclusion
  2. anything that is excepted; specif.,
    1. a case to which a rule, general principle, etc. does not apply
    2. a person or thing different from or treated differently from others of the same class
  3. objection or opposition
  4. Law a formal objection or reservation to court action or opinion in the course of a trial

Etymology: ME excepcioun < OFr exception < L exceptio

exception Idioms

take exception

  1. to object; demur
  2. to resent something; feel offended

the exception proves the rule

the exception tests the rule: often used to mean “the exception establishes the rule”

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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