1.to speak in defence, defend oneself, περί τινος about a thing, πρός τι or τινα in answer to.., Thuc., Plat.; ἀπ. ὑπέρ τινος to speak in another's behalf, Hdt.:—absol., id=Plat.; ὁ ἀπολογούμενος the defendant, Ar.
2.c. acc. criminis, to defend oneself against a thing, explain, excuse, Thuc., Aeschin.