apology

noun

1. An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).

   “What he said really hurt my feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that I couldn't help but forgive him.”

   “The CEO made a public apology for the scandal, and promised full cooperation with the authorities.”

2. A formal justification, defence.

   “the Apology of Socrates”

3. Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.

   “a poor apology for a hotel room”

   “[He] goes to work devising apologies for window curtains.”

   “The response to firing is remarkable, and though the 280 lb. pressure seems more in the nature of a reserve for emergencies than a continuous working figure, even with the present-day apology for coal it seldom fell below 250 lb., and could always be brought up to blowing-off point with little difficulty. To this liveliness of steaming the thermic syphons are doubtless the chief contributory.”