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Webster 1913 Edition


Exculpate

Ex-cul′pate

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Exculpated
,
p. pr. & vb. n.
.
Exculpating
([GREEK]).]
[L.
ex
out +
culpatus
, p. p. of
culpare
to find fault with, to blame,
culpa
fault. See
Culpable
.]
To clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit.
He
exculpated
himself from being the author of the heroic epistle.
Mason.
Syn. – To exonerate; absolve; clear; acquit; excuse; vindicate; justify.

Webster 1828 Edition


Exculpate

EXCUL'PATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. ex and culpo, to blame, culpa, fault.]
To clear by words from a charge or imputation of fault or guilt; to excuse. How naturally are we inclined to exculpate ourselves and throw the blame on others. Eve endeavored to exculpate herself for eating the forbidden fruit,and throw the blame on the serpent; Adam attempted to exculpate himself and throw the blame on Eve.

Definition 2024


exculpate

exculpate

English

Verb

exculpate (third-person singular simple present exculpates, present participle exculpating, simple past and past participle exculpated)

  1. To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.
    • 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 4, in The Dust of Conflict:
      The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected. Northrop knew all about Tony's flirtation with Lucy Davidson, but it also knew a good deal more about that lady than Tony did, and exculpated him.

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