ἀπολογέομαι
Etym. ἀπό, λόγος
1. "to speak in defence, defend oneself", περί τινος "about" a thing, πρός τι or τινα "in answer to..", Thuc., Plat.; ἀπ. ὑπέρ τινος "to speak" in another's "behalf", Hdt.:—absol., id=Plat.; ὁ ἀπολογούμενος "the defendant", Ar.
2. c. acc. criminis, "to defend oneself against" a thing, "explain, excuse", Thuc., Aeschin.
3. ἀπ. τι ἔς τι "to allege in one's defence" against a charge, Thuc., Plat.
4. ἀπ. δίκην θανάτου "to speak against" sentence of death being passed on one, Thuc.