exception

[ ik-sep-shuh n ]

Word Origin & History

late 14c., from Anglo-French excepcioun, Old French excepcion, from Latin exceptionem (nominative exceptio), noun of action from past participle stem of excipere (see except).

The exception that proves the rule is from law: exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis, "the exception proves the rule in cases not excepted;" exception here being "action of excepting" someone or something from the rule in question, not the person or thing that is excepted. To take exception is from excipere being used in Roman law as a modern attorney would say objection.

Example Sentences forexception

The Bineses, with the exception of Psyche, were at breakfast a week later.

There was, however, one exception, and that was his friend Windich (native).

This piece, with the exception of a few lines, has appeared in the Athenaeum.

Never had the pinto dodged his share of honest running, and this day was no exception.

The exception rather than the rule, there is no reason why he should not be the racial type.

There is hardly an exception to this in the whole history of Caucasian ideas.

Mark was in many things an exception—a curious mixture of child and youth.

With the exception of Fountains, the remains are more perfect than any in Yorkshire.

The meat is fried, with only the exception of when accompanied by "turnip greens."

The journey to Montpellier-le-Vieux formed no exception to the rule.

exception

dispensation

exclusion

exemption

impunity

irregularity

nonconformity

objection

outlier

exception

More words related to exception