Dictionary

culprit

noun cul·prit \ˈkəl-prət, -ˌprit\

: a person who has committed a crime or done something wrong

Full Definition of CULPRIT

1
:  one accused of or charged with a crime
2
:  one guilty of a crime or a fault
3
:  the source or cause of a problem
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Origin of CULPRIT

Anglo-French cul. (abbreviation of culpable guilty) + prest, prit ready (i.e., to prove it), from Latin praestus — more at presto
First Known Use: 1678

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi
CULPRIT Defined for Kids

culprit

noun cul·prit \ˈkəl-prət\

Definition of CULPRIT for Kids

:  a person accused of, charged with, or guilty of a crime or fault

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Next Word in the Dictionary: culs–de–fourPrevious Word in the Dictionary: culpeoAll Words Near: culprit
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