Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
noun
An excuse for not appearing in court at the return of process; the allegation of an excuse to the court.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, obsolete
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Excuse; exemption.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To excuse for failure to appear in court.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, transitive
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Inherited from Middle English essoyne, from Old French essoignier, from Medieval Latin exoniō, essoniō (“excuse oneself; accept an excuse”), from ex- + sonium + -ō, sonium being from Proto-West Germanic *sunnju (“care, need”).
