culpa

[kuhl-puh, kool-pah]

noun

plural

culpae 

1. Roman and Civil Law.,  negligence; neglect (dolus ).

   One is not always liable before law for culpa resulting in damages.

2. guilt; sin.

culpa

/ ˈkʊlpɑː /

noun

1. civil law an act of neglect

2. a fault; sin; guilt

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpa¹

1250–1300; Old English < Latin: fault, liability, blame

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpa¹

Latin: fault

Example Sentences

Joz, along with Federighi, delivered the mea culpa that Apple’s AI efforts so far haven’t met the company’s high quality standards.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Montier’s mea culpa came in 2022, when he reflected on why his argument had been so wrong.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Sometimes you say ‘Mea culpa, we were wrong.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A senior Tory told me after the election defeat the party had to "go everywhere and do a mea culpa, to listen and take a kicking".

Read more on BBC

In the aftermath of the 1-1 draw against St Mirren, there was no mea culpa about anything, just words about how the players are not responding.

Read more on BBC