exceptverb/ɪkˈsɛpt/

• 1

  To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

  • I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!
  • But this [ban on circumcision] must have been a provocation, as the emperor Antoninus Pius later acknowledged by excepting the Jews.
• 2

  To take exception, to object (to or against).

  • to except to a witness or his testimony
  • Except thou wilt except against my love.

exceptprep/ɪkˈsɛpt/

• 1

  Used to introduce an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

  • There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.
  • Except that he is wearing polka-dot drawers, he is buck naked.

exceptconj/ɪkˈsɛpt/

• 1

  Used to introduce a clause, phrase, verb infinitive, adverb or other non-noun complement forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

  • You look a bit like my sister, except (that) she has longer hair.
  • I never made fun of her except teasingly.
• 2

  informalLoosely, used to introduce a contrastive statement explaining why something wasn't successful, didn't happen, etc.

  • They fired tear gas at us, except the wind was blowing the wrong way.
  • I almost walked out, except I remembered the promise I had made.
• 3

  archaicUnless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.

  • And they sayde: We have no moo but five loves and two fisshes, except we shulde goo and bye meate for all this people.
  • If I ſay ſooth, I muſt report they were / As Cannons ouer-charg'd with double Cracks, / So they doubly redoubled ſtroakes vpon the Foe: / Except they meant to bathe in reeking Wounds, / Or memorize another Golgotha, / I cannot tell: but I am faint, / My Gaſhes cry for helpe.