exception

 
Pronunciation: /ɪkˈsɛpʃ(ə)n, ɛk-/

noun

  • a person or thing that is excluded from a general statement or does not follow a rule: he always plays top tunes, and tonight was no exception the administrator made an exception in the Colonel’s case and waived the normal visiting hours

Phrases

the exception proves the rule

proverb the fact that some cases do not follow a rule proves that the rule applies in all other cases.

take exception to

object strongly to: many viewers took great exception to the programme’s content

with the exception of

except; not including: all water sports, with the exception of scuba diving, are complimentary

without exception

with no one or nothing excluded: almost without exception, all the residents are opposed to this vandalism

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin exceptio(n-), from excipere 'take out' (see except)