> as lemmas

1647 Reformado's Remonstr. 4 Yet were it lawfull for Subjects..to challenge liberty of speech in a self-vindication, we durst appeale unto the meanest judgment.

1690 C. Ness Compl. Hist. & Myst. Old & New Test. I. 314 Jacobs silence..was far better than his son's self-vindication.

1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VII. 302 Whoever declines forbidden instances of self-vindication..needs not doubt but he shall be respected by most.

1855 G. W. M. Reynolds Myst. Court of London VII. 30/1 I am compelled to give these explanations—these self-vindications now!

1945 Life 17 Dec. 60/2 Speer had a plan for establishing an ‘in’ with the winning side—what amounted to a well-devised strategy of self-vindication and survival.

2014 Daily Mail (Nexis) 7 Apr. Her 71 words began with a self-vindication of second home expenses claims.