Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

exculpate

[ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt]
See more synonyms for exculpate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), ex·cul·pat·ed, ex·cul·pat·ing.
  1. to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.
Show More

Origin of exculpate

1650–60; < Latin exculpātus freed from blame, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + culpātus blamed (past participle of culpāre; see culpable)
Related formsex·cul·pa·ble [ik-skuhl-puh-buh l] /ɪkˈskʌl pə bəl/, adjectiveex·cul·pa·tion, nounnon·ex·cul·pa·ble, adverbnon·ex·cul·pa·tion, nounself-ex·cul·pa·tion, nounun·ex·cul·pa·ble, adjectiveun·ex·cul·pat·ed, adjective
Can be confusedexculpate exonerate inculpate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for exculpation

Historical Examples

  • He foresaw that any attempt at exculpation would be as fruitless as dangerous.

    Gomez Arias

    Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso

  • She fought on the consuming fire to have her exculpation heard.

  • But, because she was Clancy Deane, they were not words of exculpation, or of apology.

    Find the Woman

    Arthur Somers Roche

  • His exculpation was complete before every tribunal of opinion.

  • But that very circumstance is our exculpation, instead of our guilt.

    Dangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4

    Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

British Dictionary definitions for exculpation

exculpate

verb
  1. (tr) to free from blame or guilt; vindicate or exonerate
Show More
Derived Formsexculpable (ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl), adjectiveexculpation, nounexculpatory, adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Medieval Latin exculpāre, from Latin ex- 1 + culpāre to blame, from culpa fault, blame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exculpation

n.

1715, noun of action from exculpate.

Show More

exculpate

v.

1650s, from Medieval Latin exculpatus, past participle of exculpare, from Latin ex culpa, from ex "from" (see ex-) + culpa ablative of culpa "blame, fault." Related: Exculpated; exculpating.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper