Definition of "apologetic"

Very different was he, however, from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. His expression was downcast, and his bearing meek and even apologetic.

1890, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The Sign of the Four, London: Spencer Blackett

Aberdeen Joint is a fine station. Its approach is a real approach, not an apologetic side-street; its granite building has a dignity in keeping with the famous city skyline it faces, [...].

1941 January, C. Hamilton Ellis, “The Scottish Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 3

Scott, somewhat stunned and now worried that everybody might have opened fire at the U.S. destroyers (he presumably missed Laffey and Farenholt merrily blazing away with their own guns into the darkness), ordered all firing to cease after a couple of minutes. Helena, along with Boise, was already several hundred shells lighter, and both Boise and San Francisco herself actually kept firing, as their captains were utterly sure about their targets; San Francisco's captain was very apologetic as he overruled Admiral Scott.

2020 December 9, Drachinifel, 20:18 from the start, in Guadalcanal Campaign - Cape Esperance (IJN 1 : 2 USN)‎, archived from the original on 4 December 2022