Chapter 553

Ex*cul"pate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Exculpated (?) , p. pr. & vb. n. . Exculpating (<?/).] [L. ex out + culpatus , p. p. of culpare to find fault with, to blame, culpa fault. See Culpable .] To clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit.

He exculpated himself from being the author of the heroic epistle. Mason.

I exculpate him further for his writing against me. Milman.

Syn. -- To exonerate; absolve; clear; acquit; excuse; vindicate; justify.

Exculpation <Xpage=521>

Ex`cul*pa"tion (?) , n. [Cf. LL. exculpatio .] The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime; that which exculpates; excuse.

These robbers, however, were men who might have made out a strong case in exculpation of themselves. Southey.

Exculpatory <Xpage=521>

Ex*cul"pa*to*ry (?) . Clearing, or tending to clear, from alleged fault or guilt; excusing. "An exculpatory letter."

Johnson.

Excur <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur" (?) i. [L. excurrere . See Excurrent .] To run out or forth; to extend. [Obs.]

Harvey.

Excurrent <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur"rent (?) , a. [L. excurrens , p. p. of excurrere, excursum, to run out; ex out + currere to run. See Current .] 1. Running or flowing out ; as: (Bot.) Running or extending out; as, an excurrent midrib, one which projects beyond the apex of a leaf; an excurrent steam or trunk, one which continues to the top .

2. (Zo\'94l) Characterized by a current which flows outward; as, an excurrent orifice or tube .

Excurse <Xpage=521>

Ex*curse" (?) , v. t. [See excurrent .] To journey or pass thought. [R.]

Excursion <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur"sion (?) . [L. excursio : cf. F. excursion . See Excurrent .] 1. A running or going out or forth; an expedition; a sally.

Far on excursion toward the gates of hell. Milton.

They would make excursions and waste the country. Holland.

2. A journey chiefly for recreation; a pleasure trip; a brief tour; as, an excursion into the country .

3. A wandering from a subject; digression.

I am not in a scribbling mood, and shall therefore make no excursions . Cowper.

4. (Mach.) Length of stroke, as of a piston; stroke. [An awkward use of the word.]

Syn. -- Journey; tour; ramble; jaunt. See Journey .

Excursionist <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur"sion*ist , n. One who goes on an excursion, or pleasure trip.

Excursive <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur"sive (?) , a. Prone to make excursions; wandering; roving; exploring; as, an excursive fancy .

The course of excursive . . . understandings. I. Taylor.

-- Ex*cur"sive*ly , adv. -- Ex*cur"sive*ness , , n.

Excursus <Xpage=521>

Ex*cur"sus (?) , n. [L., fr. excurrere , excursum . See Excurrent .] A dissertation or digression appended to a work, and containing a more extended exposition of some important point or topic.

Excusable <Xpage=521>

Ex*cus"a*ble (?) a. [L. excusabilis : cf. F. excusable . See Excuse .] That may be excused, forgiven, justified, or acquitted of blame; pardonable; as, the man is excusable ; an excusable action . -- Ex*cus"a*ble*ness , n. -- Ex*cus"a*bly , adv.

The excusableness of my dissatisfaction. Boyle.

Excusation <Xpage=521>

Ex`cu*sa"tion (?) , n. [L. excusatio : cf. F. excusation .] Excuse; apology. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Excusator <Xpage=521>

Ex`cu*sa"tor (?) , n. [L.] One who makes, or is authorized to make, an excuse; an apologist. [Obs.]

Hume.

Excusatory <Xpage=521>

Ex*cus"a*to*ry (?) , a. Making or containing excuse or apology; apologetical; as, an excusatory plea .

Excuse <Xpage=521>

Ex*cuse" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Excused (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Excusing .] [OE. escusen , cusen , OF. escuser , excuser , F. excuser , fr. L. excusare ; ex out + causa cause, causari to plead. See Cause .]

1. To free from accusation, or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge; to justify by extenuating a fault; to exculpate; to absolve; to acquit.

A man's persuasion that a thing is duty, will not excuse him from guilt in practicing it, if really and indeed it be against Gog's law. Abp. Sharp.

2. To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook; as, we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it .

I must excuse what can not be amended. Shak.

3. To regard with indulgence; to view leniently or to overlook; to pardon.

And in our own ( excuse some courtly stains.) No whiter page than Addison remains. Pope.

4. To free from an impending obligation or duty; hence, to disengage; to dispense with; to release by favor; also, to remit by favor; not to exact; as, to excuse a forfeiture .

I pray thee have me excused . xiv. 19.

5. To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.

Think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? 2 Cor. xii. 19.

Syn. -- To vindicate; exculpate; absolve; acquit. - To Pardon , Excuse , Forgive . A superior pardons as an act of mercy or generosity; either a superior or an equal excuses . A crime, great fault, or a grave offence, as one against law or morals, may be pardoned ; a small fault, such as a failure in social or conventional obligations, slight omissions or neglects may be excused . Forgive relates to offenses against one's self, and punishment foregone; as, to forgive injuries or one who has injured us; to pardon grave offenses, crimes, and criminals; to excuse an act of forgetfulness, an unintentional offense. Pardon is also a word of courtesy employed in the sense of excuse .

<page="523"> Page 523

Excuse <Xpage=523>

Ex*cuse" (?) , n. [Cf. F. excuse . See Excuse , v. t. ] 1. The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation.

Pleading so wisely in excuse of it. Shak.

2. That which is offered as a reason for being excused; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology; as, an excuse for neglect of duty; excuses for delay of payment.

Hence with denial vain and coy excuse . Milton.

3. That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault. "It hath the excuse of youth."

Shak.

If eyes were made for seeing. Then beauty is its own excuse for being. Emerson.

Syn. -- See Apology .

Excuseless <Xpage=523>

Ex*cuse"less , a. Having no excuse; not admitting of excuse or apology.

Whillock.

Excusement <Xpage=523>

Ex*cuse"ment (?) , n. [Cf. OF. excusement .] Excuse. [Obs.]

Gower.

Excuser <Xpage=523>

Ex*cus"er (?) , n. 1. One who offers excuses or pleads in extenuation of the fault of another.

Swift.

2. One who excuses or forgives another.

Shelton.

Excuss <Xpage=523>

Ex*cuss" (?) , v. t. [L. excussus . p. p. of excutere to shake off; ex out, from + quatere to shake. Cf. Quash .] 1. To shake off; to discard. [R.]

To excuss the notation of a Geity out of their minds. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. To inspect; to investigate; to decipher. [R.]

To take some pains in excusing some old monuments. F. Junius (1654).

3. To seize and detain by law, as goods. [Obs.]

Ayliffe.

Excussion <Xpage=523>

Ex*cus"sion (?) , n. [L. excussio a shaking down; LL., a threshing of corn: cf. F. excussion .] The act of excusing; seizure by law. [Obs.]

Ayliffe.

Exeat <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*at (?) , n. [L., let him go forth.] 1. A license for absence from a college or a religious house. [Eng.]

Shipley.

2. A permission which a bishop grants to a priest to go out of his diocese.

Wharton.

Execrable <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cra*ble (?) , a. [L. execrabilis , exsecrabilis : cf. F. ex\'82crable . See Execrate .] Deserving to be execrated; accursed; damnable; detestable; abominable; as, an execrable wretch . " Execrable pride."

Hooker.

-- Ex"e*cra*ble*ness , n. -- Ex"e*cra*bly , adv.

Execrate <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*crate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Execrated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Execrating (?) .] [L. execratus , exsecratus , p. p. of execrare , exsecrare , to execrate; ex out + sacer holy, sacred. See Sacred .] To denounce evil against, or to imprecate evil upon; to curse; to protest against as unholy or detestable; hence, to detest utterly; to abhor; to abominate. "They . . . execrate their lct."

Cowper.

Execration <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*cra"tion (?) , n. [L. execratio , exsecratio : cf. F. ex\'82cration .] 1. The act of cursing; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; imprecation; utter detestation expressed.

Cease, gentle, queen, these execrations . Shak.

2. That which is execrated; a detested thing.

Ye shall be an execration and . . . a curse. Jer. xlii. 18.

Syn. -- See Malediction .

Execrative <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cra*tive (?) , a. Cursing; imprecatory; vilifying. Carlyle . -- Ex"e*cra*tive*ly , adv.

Execrative <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cra*tive , n. A word used for cursing; an imprecatory word or expression.

Earle.

Execratory <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cra*to*ry (?) , a. Of the nature of execration; imprecatory; denunciatory. C. Kingsley. -- n. A formulary of execrations.

L. Addison.

Exect <Xpage=523>

Ex*ect" (?) , v. t. [See Exsect .] To cut off or out. [Obs.] See Exsect .

Harvey.

Exection <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"tion (?) , n. [Obs.] See Exsection .

Executable <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cu`ta*ble (?) , a. Capable of being executed; feasible; as, an executable project . [R.]

Executant <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tant (?) , n. One who executes or performs; esp., a performer on a musical instrument.

Great executants on the organ. De Quincey.

Execute <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cute (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Executed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Executing (?) .] [F. ex\'82cuter , L. executus , exsecutus , p. p. of exequi to follow to the end, pursue; ex out + sequi to follow. See Second , Sue to follow up, and cf. Exequy .] 1. To follow out or through to the end; to carry out into complete effect; to complete; to finish; to effect; to perform;

Why delays His hand to execute what his decree Fixed on this day? Milton.

2. To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a deed, lease, mortgage, will, etc.

3. To give effect to; to do what is provided or required by; to perform the requirements or stimulations of; as, to execute a decree, judgment, writ, or process .

4. To infect capital punishment on; to put to death in conformity to a legal sentence; as, to execute a traitor .

5. Too put to death illegally; to kill. [Obs.]

Shak.

6. (Mus.) To perform, as a piece of music, either on an instrument or with the voice; as, to execute a difficult part brilliantly .

Syn. -- To accomplish; effect; fulfill; achieve; consummate; finish; complete. See Accomplish .

Execute <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cute , v. i. 1. To do one's work; to act one's part of purpose. [R.]

Hayward.

2. To perform musically.

Executer <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*cu`ter (?) , n. One who performs or carries into effect. See Executor .

Execution <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*cu"tion (?) , n. [F. ex\'82cution , L. executio , exsecutio .] 1. The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance; achievement; consummation; as, the execution of a plan, a work, etc.

The excellence of the subject contributed much to the happiness of the execution . Dryden.

2. A putting to death as a legal penalty; death lawfully inflicted; as, the execution of a murderer .

A warrant for his execution . Shak.

3. The act of the mode of performing a work of art, of performing on an instrument, of engraving, etc.; as, the execution of a statue, painting, or piece of music .

The first quality of execution is truth. Ruskin.

4. (Law) (a) The carrying into effect the judgment given in a court of law. (b) A judicial writ by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect; final process. (c) The act of signing, and delivering a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it valid; as, the execution of a deed, or a will .

5. That which is executed or accomplished; effect; effective work; -- usually with do .

To do some fatal execution . Shak.

6. The act of sacking a town. [Obs.]

Beau. & FL.

Executioner <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*cu"tion*er (?) , n. 1. One who executes; an executer.

Bacon.

2. One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.

Executive <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tive (?) , a. [Cf.F. ex\'82cutif .] Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect; as, executive talent; qualifying for, concerned with, or pertaining to, the execution of the laws or the conduct of affairs; as, executive power or authority ; executive duties, officer, department, etc.

&hand; In government, executive is distinguished from legislative and judicial ; legislative being applied to the organ or organs of government which make the laws; judicial , to that which interprets and applies the laws; executive , to that which carries them into effect or secures their due performance.

Executive <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tive , n. An impersonal title of the chief magistrate or officer who administers the government, whether king, president, or governor; the governing person or body.

Executively <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tive*ly , adv. In the way of executing or performing.

Executor <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tor (?) , n. [L. executor , exsecutor : cf. F. ex\'82cuteur . Cf. Executer .] 1. One who executes or performs; a doer; as, an executor of baseness .

Shak.

2. An executioner. [Obs.]

Delivering o'er to executors pa . . . The lazy, yawning drone. Shak.

3. (Law) The person appointed by a <?/ to execute his will, or to see its provisions carried into effect, after his decease.

Executor de son tort [Of., executor of his own wrong] (Law) , a stranger who intermeddles without authority in the distribution of the estate of a deceased person.

Executorial <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec`u*to"ri*al (?) , a. [LL. executorialis .] Of or pertaining to an executive.

Executorship <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tor*ship (?) , n. The office of an executor.

Executory <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*to*ry (?) , a. [LL. executorius , L. exsecutorius : cf.F. ex\'82cutoire .] 1. Pertaining to administration, or putting the laws in force; executive.

The official and executory duties of government. Burke.

2. (Law) Designed to be executed or carried into effect in time to come, or to take effect on a future contingency; as, an executory devise, reminder, or estate; an executory contract.

Blackstone.

Executress <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*tress (?) , n. [Cf.F. ex\'82cutrice .] An executrix.

Executrix <Xpage=523>

Ex*ec"u*trix (?) , n. [LL.] (Law) A woman exercising the functions of an executor.

Exedent <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*dent (?) , a. [L. exedent , -entis , p.pr. of exedere . See Exesion .] Eating out; consuming. [R.]

Exedra <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*dra (?) , n. ; pl. Exedr\'91 (#) . [L., fr.Gr <?/; <?/ out + <?/ seat.] 1. (Class. Antiq.) A room in a public building, furnished with seats.

2. (Arch.) (a) The projection of any part of a building in a rounded form. (b) Any out-of-door seat in stone, large enough for several persons; esp., one of curved form.

Exegesis <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*ge"sis (?) , n. ; pl. Exegeses (#) . [NL., fr.Gr. <?/,fr. <?/ to explain, interpret; <?/ out + <?/ to guide, lead, akin, to <?/ to lead. See Agent .] 1. Exposition; explanation; especially, a critical explanation of a text or portion of Scripture.

2. (Math.) The process of finding the roots of an equation. [Obs.]

Exegete <Xpage=523>

Ex"e*gete (?) , n. [Gr. <?/: cf.F. ex\'82g\'8ate . See Exegesis .] An exegetist.

Exegetic, Exegetical <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*get"ic (?) , Ex`e*get"ic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. ex\'82g\'82tique .] Pertaining to exegesis; tending to unfold or illustrate; explanatory; expository. Walker. Ex`e*get"ic*al*ly , adv.

Exegetics <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*get"ics (?) , n. The science of interpretation or exegesis.

Exegetist <Xpage=523>

Ex`e*ge"tist (?) , n. One versed in the science of exegesis or interpretation; -- also called exegete .

Exemplar <Xpage=523>

Ex*em"plar (?) , n. [L. exemplar , exemplum : cf. F. exemplaire . See Example , and cf. Examper , Sampler .] 1. A model, original, or pattern, to be copied or imitated; a specimen; sometimes; an ideal model or type, as that which an artist conceives.