Plea (6)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">plea</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(thesaurus)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for excuse that I've seen before include "Free - apology" , "Let off or make allowances for" , "Grant an exemption or justify" , "Defence of offensive behaviour" , "Make apologies for" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">plea</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for entreaty that I've seen before include "Appeal" , "petition" , "An earnest or emotional request" , "Teeny rat (anag.)" , "Supplication" .)