Although the Chinese couldn't tell anyone exactly what an earthquake measured on the Richter scale (since the Richter scale wasn't created until 1935), they did manage to invent the world's first earthquake detector -- a seismograph.
WHAT IS AN ALIBI? An alibi is any evidence showing that a citizen accused of a crime was somewhere other than at the scene of a crime when the crime occurred. While T.V. and movies often portray the alibi as a fraudulent and untruthful, in the real world, the alibi is a perfectly respectable legal defense.
apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could