Definition of culprit

< Culpeper, Lord Thomas

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cul·prit    (klprt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. One charged with an offense or crime.
2. One guilty of a fault or crime.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Probably from cul. prit, abbreviation for Anglo-Norman *culpable: prit d'averrer nostre bille, guilty: (I am) ready to aver our indictment : culpable, guilty (from Latin culpbilis; see culpable) + *prit, ready (variant of prest, from Latin praest; see presto)