A-pŏl/o-gĕt'ic or A-pŏl/o-gĕt'ic-al, a.

a. [Gr. ἀπολογητικός, from ἀπολογεῖσθαι, to speak in defense of, from ἀπό, from, and λόγος, speech, λέγειν, to say, to speak.] Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense, or by way of apology; excusing; as, an apologetic essay.