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exception

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ɪkˈsɛpʃən// UK //ɛksˈɛpʃən// ex·cep·tion General-service

n. someone or something that does not follow a general rule. You use this when a situation is different from what usually happens.

n. a person or thing that is excluded from a general statement or does not follow a rule. Often used in legal or technical contexts to specify cases where a standard protocol does not apply.


SIMPLE

Most students passed the test, but he was the exception.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum is usually closed on Mondays, but they make an exception for national holidays.

COMPLEX

While the software is designed to handle standard data inputs, it must also include robust protocols for every possible exception to prevent the system from crashing during a processing error.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English exception, excepcioun, from Anglo-Norman excepcioun, from Old French excepcion, from Latin exceptiō. Equivalent to except + -ion.

Usage

Commonly follows the verbs 'make' or 'take'. When used with 'to', it indicates the rule or group being deviated from ('an exception to the rule').

Pitfall

with the exception forwith the exception ofThe fixed phrase 'with the exception of' always takes 'of' to introduce the excluded item.

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