Etymology From the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century.
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Law The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed.
to set up an alibi
to prove an alibi
2 more examples
The judge said, “Son, what is your alibi? If you were somewhere else, then you won’t have to die.”1959, Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin, “Long Black Veil”:
Alibi is different from all of the other defenses . . . it is based upon the premise that the defendant is truly innocent.1988, Criminal Law Deskbook, →ISBN:
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Proscribed, Sometimes An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.
That day in September, I'm sure you can remember / That's when all the stuff hit the fan (the stuff hit the fan) / You told me a lie, and you didn't have an alibi / But baby, yet I still cared1984, Jocelyn Brown, “Somebody Else's Guy”, in Somebody Else's Guy:
Etymology From the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century.
1
To provide an alibi for.
Bond laughed. 'What an organization!' he said. 'I'm sure it's all beautifully covered up and alibied. What a man! He certainly seems to have the run of this country.'1954, Ian Fleming, “Death of a Pelican”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 132: