exception

n. [ L. exceptio: cf. F. exception. ] 1. The act of excepting or excluding; exclusion; restriction by taking out something which would otherwise be included, as in a class, statement, rule. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is excepted or taken out from others; a person, thing, or case, specified as distinct, or not included; as, almost every general rule has its exceptions. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such rare exceptions, shining in the dark,
Prove, rather than impeach, the just remark. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Often with to. [ 1913 Webster ]

That proud exception to all nature's laws. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) An objection, oral or written, taken, in the course of an action, as to bail or security; or as to the decision of a judge, in the course of a trail, or in his charge to a jury; or as to lapse of time, or scandal, impertinence, or insufficiency in a pleading; also, as in conveyancing, a clause by which the grantor excepts something before granted. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An objection; cavil; dissent; disapprobation; offense; cause of offense; -- usually followed by to or against. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will never answer what exceptions they can have against our account [ relation ]. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

He . . . took exception to the place of their burial. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

She takes exceptions at your person. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bill of exceptions (Law), a statement of exceptions to the decision, or instructions of a judge in the trial of a cause, made for the purpose of putting the points decided on record so as to bring them before a superior court or the full bench for review. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Liable to exception or objection; objectionable. -- Ex*cep"tion*a*ble*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

This passage I look upon to be the most exceptionable in the whole poem. Addison. [1913 Webster]

a. [ Cf. F. exceptionnel. ] Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare; hence, better than the average; superior. Lyell. [ 1913 Webster ]

This particular spot had exceptional advantages. Jowett (Th. )

-- Ex*cep"tion*al*lyadv. [1913 Webster]

n. One who takes exceptions or makes objections. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]