Apologetically
containing an or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.:
An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
defending by speech or writing.
willing or eager to .
sorry; regretful.
Contemporary Examples
“We lead a life of glimpses & glances,” Emerson apologetically wrote of their time in his house.
Why Do Women Love Bad Men? A New Life of Margaret Fuller Susan Cheever March 21, 2013
It was, he said apologetically, one of 22 evictions he had to carry out that day.
Hidden Victims of Eviction Sasha Abramsky February 8, 2010
Historical Examples
“No, of course not; I beg your pardon,” he says apologetically.
The Haunted Chamber “The Duchess”
“I was afraid you might not come willingly,” Porter said apologetically.
By Proxy Gordon Randall Garrett
“I have used up your whole afternoon,” he said, apologetically.
The Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of Him Paul Leicester Ford
“But such a sweet one,” suggested Josephine, apologetically.
White Lies Charles Reade
“Ha—hum—ha—I am afraid I have brought you rather a rough specimen,” he said apologetically.
Pixie O’Shaughnessy Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
“Thought you were alluding to my name, sir,” said Dick, apologetically.
The Queen’s Scarlet George Manville Fenn
“You weren’t really expelled, dear,” Mrs. Banks said apologetically.
Polly’s Senior Year at Boarding School Dorothy Whitehill
“I should say a sort of foreigner, sir,” apologetically replied the butler.
The Island Pharisees John Galsworthy
adjective
expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
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).
Read Also:
- Apologetics
the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity. Contemporary Examples And Obama has worked to push American foreign policy beyond Carterite apologetics or Bushesque saber-rattling. Carter Is Worse Than Clint Gil Troy September 3, 2012 I know that some of you are going to call this Obama apologetics, but you know […]
- Apologia
an apology, as in defense or justification of a belief, idea, etc. Literature. a work written as an explanation or justification of one’s motives, convictions, or acts. Contemporary Examples Nor is his often-riveting new memoir an exercise in nostalgia, apologia, or retread rhetoric. The Accidental Radical John Douglas Marshall April 26, 2009 Submit to his […]
- Apologia pro vita sua
a religious autobiography (1864) of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Historical Examples The first sentence was a brief self-accusation, what followed was the defense—a sinner’s Apologia pro Vita Sua. The Tysons May Sinclair I was just going to say, when that foolish story interrupted me, that Cardinal Newman wrote a book called “Apologia pro Vita Sua.” […]
- Apologies
a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another: He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook. a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine. (initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on […]
- Apology
a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another: He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook. a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine. (initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on […]