exception

[ ik-sep-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of excepting or the fact of being excepted.
2. something excepted; an instance or case not conforming to the general rule.
3. an adverse criticism, especially on a particular point; opposition of opinion; objection; demurral:

   a statement liable to exception.

4. Law.
   1. an objection, as to a ruling of the court in the course of a trial.
   2. a notation that an objection is preserved for purposes of appeal:

      saving an exception.

exception

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the act of excepting or fact of being excepted; omission
2. anything excluded from or not in conformance with a general rule, principle, class, etc
3. criticism, esp when it is adverse; objection
4. law (formerly) a formal objection in the course of legal proceedings
5. law a clause or term in a document that restricts the usual legal effect of the document
6. take exception
   1. usually foll by to to make objections (to); demur (at)
   2. often foll by at to be offended (by); be resentful (at)

Other Words From

• ex·ception·less adjective
• preex·ception noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exception¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English excepcioun, from Latin exceptiōn-, stem of exceptiō; equivalent to except ¹ + -ion

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take exception,
   1. to make an objection; demur:

      They took exception to several points in the contract.

   2. to take offense:

      She took exception to what I said about her brother.

More idioms and phrases containing exception

• except for (with the exception of)
• make an exception
• take exception to

Example Sentences

According to the US justice department it is “highly unusual” for a president to pardon someone before they are indicted, convicted or sentenced for a federal offence - though there have been some notable exceptions.

From BBC

We also know this because, as Jessica Valenti reported at Abortion Every Day last week, these same activists are lobbying to rewrite current abortion bans to remove the paltry "exceptions" that do exist.

From Salon

In Dahieh, for a while, life went on almost as normal, with the exception that Naya and Tia missed their friends, their own beds, their toys and all clothes they had had to leave behind.

From BBC

It has yet to explicitly define which situations would allow for this exception.

From Los Angeles Times

However, with the exception of two limited recalls announced in the last few days, products from the farm that are already on store shelves can remain available for sale.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anomaly
• exemption
• oddity
• privilege