apology

Where does the word "apology" come from? It comes from Greek apologia, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1590s).

Apology’s story begins in Greek: apologia meant “defence speech.” A speech of defence; Plato's Apology is Socrates' defence at his trial. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as apologia. Used for defences of the Christian faith. It reached English by 1590s as apology. Shifted from a defence to an admission of fault. Today, apology means a statement saying sorry.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient apologia "defence speech", a speech of defence; Plato's Apology is Socrates' defence at his trial.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient apologia "defence", used for defences of the Christian faith.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1590s apology "an expression of regret", shifted from a defence to an admission of fault.