(transitive) To provide an excuse for; to explain, with the aim of alleviating guilt or negative judgement.
To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
Noun
(countable, uncountable) Explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment.
(law) A defense to a criminal or civil charge wherein the accused party admits to doing acts for which legal consequences would normally be appropriate, but asserts that special circumstances relieve that party of culpability for having done those acts.
