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Exception vs Excuse - What's the difference?

exception | excuse | Related terms |

In lang=en terms the difference between exception and excuse

is that exception is an objection, on legal grounds; also, as in conveyancing, a clause by which the grantor excepts or reserves something before the right is transferred while excuse is 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.

As nouns the difference between exception and excuse

is that exception is the act of excepting or excluding; exclusion; restriction by taking out something which would otherwise be included, as in a class, statement, rule while excuse is an explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment.

As a verb excuse is

to forgive; to pardon.

exception

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of excepting or excluding; exclusion; restriction by taking out something which would otherwise be included, as in a class, statement, rule.
  • That which is excepted or taken out from others; a person, thing, or case, specified as distinct, or not included; as, almost every general rule has its exceptions.
  • (legal) An objection, on legal grounds; also, as in conveyancing, a clause by which the grantor excepts or reserves something before the right is transferred.
  • (senseid)An objection; cavil; dissent; disapprobation; offense; cause of offense; — usually followed by to or against.
  • (computing) An interruption in normal processing, especially as caused by an error condition.
  • Derived terms

    * checked exception * exception that proves the rule * take exception * there is an exception to every rule * without exception

    excuse

    English

    Verb

    (excus)
  • To forgive; to pardon.
  • I excused him his transgressions.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I must excuse what cannot be amended.
  • * Archbishop Sharp
  • A man's persuasion that a thing is duty, will not excuse him from guilt in practising it, if really and indeed it be against God's law.
  • To allow to leave.
  • May I be excused from the table?
    I excused myself from the proceedings to think over what I'd heard.
  • To provide an excuse for; to explain, with the aim of alleviating guilt or negative judgement.
  • You know he shouldn't have done it, so don't try to excuse his behavior!
  • To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
  • * Bible, 2. Corinthians xii. 19
  • Think ye that we excuse ourselves to you?

    Synonyms

    * forgive, let off the hook, let pass, pardon, unguilt

    Derived terms

    * excuse me * excuse my French

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment.
  • Tell me why you were late – and I don't want to hear any excuses !
  • (legal) 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.
  • An example.(attention)
  • That thing is a poor excuse for a gingerbread man. Hasn't anyone taught you how to bake?
    He's a sorry excuse of a doctor.

    Usage notes

    * We often say to make an excuse.

    Synonyms

    * (explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment ): pretext