WednesdayWordDay
Today’s words come from the newspaper.
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Today’s Word
Part of Speech
adjective
Definition
- Tending or serving to clear from alleged fault or guilt.
- Applied to evidence that might justify or excuse an accused defendant’s actions, and which will tend to show the defendant is not guilty or has no criminal intent.
- Serving to exculpate, or to absolve.
History
The first recorded use of exculpatory was in the mid- to late-eighteenth century. This adjective comes from the Medieval Latin exculpatus, and traces back to the Latin noun culpa, meaning “blame.” Something exculpatory frees a suspect from accusations.
Usage and Examples
Here are a few examples:
- The exculpatory evidence turned over by the prosecutor likely saved Darrold’s life.
- The facts were exculpatory to the defendant.
