Part 895

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. (Zoöl) Characterized by a current which flows outward; as, an excurrent orifice or tube.

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

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.

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

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.

||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.

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.

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

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

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

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.