To provide an excuse for; to explain, with the aim of alleviating guilt or negative judgement.
To forgive; to pardon.
To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
To allow to leave, or release from any obligation.
Explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
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 of something that is substandard or of inferior quality.
To cover over errors or bad actions.
In various games, to defeat (an opponent) so that they fail to score, or to reach a certain point in the game; to skunk.
To paint over with a lime and water mixture so as to brighten up a wall or fence.
To make over (a person or character, a group, an event, etc) so that it is or seems more white, for example by applying makeup to a person, or by discounting the participation of people of color in an event and focusing on only white participation.
The most basic type of thickening agent, flour blended with water to make a paste.
A lime and water mixture for painting walls and fences bright white.
A complete victory or series of victories without suffering any losses; a clean sweep.
A campaign to paper over unfavorable elements.