definitions

exculpate

[ ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt ]
/ ˈɛk skʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌl peɪt /
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verb (used with object), ex·cul·pat·ed, ex·cul·pat·ing.

to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.

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RELATED WORDS

excuse, exoneration, acquittal, vindication, acquittance

Nearby words

excruciating, excruciation, excubitorium, excud., excudit, exculpate, exculpatory, excurrent, excursion, excursion ticket, excursionist

Origin of exculpate

1650–60; < Latin exculpātus freed from blame, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + culpātus blamed (past participle of culpāre; see culpable)

Related forms

Can be confused

exculpate exonerate inculpate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exculpation

British Dictionary definitions for exculpation

exculpate

/ (ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to free from blame or guilt; vindicate or exonerate

Derived Forms

exculpable (ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl), adjectiveexculpation, nounexculpatory, adjective

Word Origin for exculpate

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