8 December 2017

exculpate

[ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt]

verb (used with object), exculpated, exculpating.

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

Origin of exculpate

Latin

1650-1660; < Latin exculpātus freed from blame, equivalent to ex- ex-1+ culpātus blamed (past participle of culpāre; see culpable )

Related forms

exculpable [ik-skuhl-puh-buh l], adjective
exculpation, noun
nonexculpable, adverb
nonexculpation, noun
self-exculpation, noun

Can be confused

exculpate, exonerate, inculpate.
Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for exculpate

Historical Examples

Ossipon tried to exculpate the lukewarmness of his past conduct.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad

The McMurrough cried, breathlessly eager to exculpate himself.
The Wild Geese
Stanley John Weyman

I have made many inquiries about this affair, and they all tend to exculpate you.
Tom Burke Of “Ours”, Volume I (of II)
Charles James Lever

Anagram

cape exult
exact pule

Today’s quote

When wealth is passed off as merit, bad luck is seen as bad character. This is how ideologues justify punishing the sick and the poor. But poverty is neither a crime nor a character flaw. Stigmatise those who let people die, not those who struggle to live.

– Sarah Kendzior

On this day

8 December 1943 – birth of Jim Morrison, lead singer and song writer for the Doors. Died 3 July 1971.

8 December 1980 – Murder of John Lennon. English guitarist and singer-songwriter for the Beatles. Born 9 October 1940.

8 December 1991 – the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus sign the Belavezha Accords declaring the Soviet Union dissolved and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States. The legality of this accord was questionable, however, it was ratified by leaders of all other Soviet republics (except Georgia) on 21 December 1991.

8 December 2004 – death of Dimebag Darrell, (born Darrell Lance Abbott on 20 August 1966), American musician, founding member of Pantera. Dimebag was shot dead on stage while playing for Damageplan.