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. 1. (usually foll by to) to make objections (to); demur (at)

   2. (often foll by at) to be offended (by); be resentful (at)

Other Word Forms

• exceptionless adjective
• preexception 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

Buggy Bear is no exception, the giant bear’s face looks world-weary and slightly apologetic.

From Los Angeles Times

Told entirely from Indy’s perspective, every frame of “Good Boy” either features Indy or a dog’s eye view of the action – with only a few calculated exceptions.

From Salon

Maximum temperatures will generally reach the 70s in most of the area with the exception of Central Coast beaches, which will remain in the upper 60s, according to the Weather Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Lawmakers in South Carolina are considering a bill that would repeal protections under the state’s six-week abortion ban, eliminating existing exceptions and further criminalizing efforts to help a pregnant person obtain an abortion.

From Salon

Marvel didn’t try to venture much deeper, although “Black Panther” and “Captain Marvel” are among the rare exceptions.

From Salon

Related Words

• anomaly 
• exemption 
• oddity 
• privilege