alibi

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb).

noun

  1. (law) The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed.
    to set up an alibi
    to prove an alibi
    Alibi is different from all of the other defenses . . . it is based upon the premise that the defendant is truly innocent. 1988, Criminal Law Deskbook
  2. (sometimes proscribed) An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.

verb

  1. To provide an alibi for.
  2. To provide an excuse for.

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