definitions

inculpate

[ in-kuhl-peyt, in-kuhl-peyt ]
/ ɪnˈkʌl peɪt, ˈɪn kʌl peɪt /
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verb (used with object), in·cul·pat·ed, in·cul·pat·ing.

to charge with fault; blame; accuse.
to involve in a charge; incriminate.

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RELATED WORDS

incriminate, involve, charge, implicate, accuse

Nearby words

incudomalleal, incudostapedial, inculcate, inculcation, inculpable, inculpate, inculpatory, incult, inculturation, incumbency, incumbent

Origin of inculpate

1790–1800; < Late Latin inculpātus past participle of inculpāre to blame, equivalent to Latin in- in-2 + culp(a) fault + -ātus -ate1; cf. culpable

Related forms

in·cul·pa·tion, nounin·cul·pa·to·ry [in-kuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈkʌl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

Can be confused

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

Examples from the Web for inculpate

British Dictionary definitions for inculpate

inculpate

/ (ˈɪnkʌlˌpeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlpeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to incriminate; cause blame to be imputed to

Derived Forms

inculpation, nouninculpative (ɪnˈkʌlpətɪv) or inculpatory (ɪnˈkʌlpətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

Word Origin for inculpate

C18: from Late Latin inculpāre, from Latin 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