Noun

1. A defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
2. A note explaining an absence
3. A poor example

Verb

1. Accept an excuse for
2. Grant exemption or release to
3. Serve as a reason or cause or justification of
4. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
5. Ask for permission to be released from an engagement
6. Excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with