Definition of "Excuse" :

noun: a poor example

"A poor excuse for an automobile."

noun: a note explaining an absence

"He had to get his mother to write an excuse for him."

noun: a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.

"He kept finding excuses to stay."

verb: excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with

"Excuse someone's behavior."

verb: serve as a reason or cause or justification of

"Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work."

verb: grant exemption or release to

"Please excuse me from this class."

verb: ask for permission to be released from an engagement

verb: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

verb: accept an excuse for

"Please excuse my dirty hands."