English edit

Adjective edit

apologetical (comparative more apologetical, superlative most apologetical)

  1. apologetic
    • 1899, Aubrey Stewart, George Long, Plutarch's Lives, Volume II[1]:
      Zachariae has drawn the character of Sulla in an apologetical tone.
    • 1895, Alexander Whyte, Jacob Behmen[2]:
      I shall not attempt to enter on the thorny thicket of Jacob Behmen's polemical and apologetical works.
    • 1886, Arthur Griffiths, The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood[3]:
      The party was by way of being musical--that is to say, a famous pianist had been engaged to let off a lot of rockets from his finger-tips, and a buffo singer from the opera roared out his "Figaro la, Figaro qua," with all the strength of his brazen lungs; while one or two gifted amateurs sang glees in washed-out, apologetical accents, which were nearly lost in the din of the room.
    • 1881, Isaac D'Israeli, Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)[4]:
      It is on the misconception of the mild apologetical reply of Jesus, indeed, that religious fanatics have really considered, that, to be careless of their dress, and not to free themselves from filth and slovenliness, is an act of piety; just as the late political fanatics, who thought that republicanism consisted in the most offensive filthiness.
    • 1854, Thomas Moore, Life of Lord Byron, Vol. III[5]:
      "I would have written to him, but a few words from you will go further than all the apologetical sesquipedalities I could muster on the occasion.
    • 1832, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (The Physician and Poet not the Jurist), The Complete PG Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.[6]:
      The poor little Scarabee began fidgeting round about this time, and uttering some half-audible words, apologetical, partly, and involving an allusion to refreshments.

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