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exculpate

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryex·cul·pate \ˈek-(ˌ)skəl-ˌpāt, (ˌ)ek-ˈ\ transitive verb (-pat·ed ; -pat·ing) ETYMOLOGY Medieval Latin exculpatus, past participle of exculpare, from Latin ex- + culpa blame DATE circa 1681: to clear from alleged fault or guilt• ex·cul·pa·tion \ˌek-(ˌ)skəl-ˈpā-shən\ nounSynonyms. exculpate, absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate mean to free from a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin cannot be absolved of blame exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt exonerated by the investigation acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge voted to acquit the defendant vindicate may refer to things as well as persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame her judgment was vindicatedEnglish Etymologyexculpate 1656, from M.L. exculpatus, pp. of exculpare, from L. ex culpa,from ex "from" + culpa abl. of culpa "blame."Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7exculpateex·cul·pate / 5ekskQlpeit / verb[VN] (formal) to prove or state officially that sb is not guilty of sth 证明(或宣布)无罪；为(某人)开脱• ex·cul·pa·tion noun [U] Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedex·cul·pate\ˈek(ˌ)skəlˌpāt, ekˈs-, ikˈs-, usu -ād.+V\ transitive verb(-ed/-ing/-s)Etymology: Medieval Latin exculpatus, past participle of exculpare, from Latin ex- ex- (I) + culpare to blame — more at culpable: to clear from alleged fault or guilt : prove to be guiltless < the court exculpated him after a thorough investigation > < specifically exculpates all countries from any special responsibility for bringing on the catastrophe — Saturday Review >Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate: exculpate indicates a freeing from blame, fault, or guilt, especially fault or guilt with blameworthy intent < directly Harding was blameless for what was going on. Indirectly he cannot be wholly exculpated — S.H.Adams > absolve indicates a releasing either from charges or suspicions of guilt or from consequences or responsibilities of guilt, often unconfessed guilt < society was at least good-natured and was inclined to take the view that if a fellow had faced his punishment and taken it he was pretty well absolved — F.M.Ford > < since the emperor was willing to make the necessary promises, however, he as a priest was bound to absolve the contrite sinner — M.W.Baldwin > exonerate may imply complete clearance not only from an immediate charge or accusation but from suspicious or attendant denigration < he was subsequently tried for murder, but was completely exonerated by the testimony of his crew and passengers, who testified that the ship was in deadly peril of seizure by mutineers — C.C.Cutler > acquit may apply to a formal decision freeing one from a charge < at his trial the next year he was acquitted of dishonesty, although his reputation for intelligence suffered — Louise P. Kellogg > vindicate may apply to the eventual demonstration by subsequent developments of freedom from guilt, dishonor, wrong, folly, or weakness < both his knowledge and his honesty were vindicated when the river was discovered — G.R.Stewart > < then came the fatal letter, the desolating letter, which vindicated Constance's dark apprehensions — Arnold Bennett > < vindicating the old adage about great minds — Ring Lardner >

Guilt Blame Charge Latin Fault Implies May Exculpate