exculpate /ˈekskəlˌpāt/ I. verb — [with obj.] 1. ‹formal› show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing • the article exculpated the mayor. II. derivatives 1. exculpation /ˌekskəlˈpāSH(ə)n / noun 2. exculpatory /ˌeksˈkəlpəˌtôrē / adjective – origin mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin exculpat- ‘freed from blame,’ from the verb exculpare, from ex- ‘out, from’ + Latin culpa ‘blame.’
