Definition of scapegoat

exculpate Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt. Petersons.com

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< scape

scapegrace >

scape·goat    (skpgt) KEY  

NOUN:

1. One that is made to bear the blame of others.
2. Bible A live goat over whose head Aaron confessed all the sins of the children of Israel on the Day of Atonement. The goat, symbolically bearing their sins, was then sent into the wilderness.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
scape·goat·ed , scape·goat·ing , scape·goats

To make a scapegoat of.

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ETYMOLOGY:
scape ² + goat (translation of Hebrew 'z 'zl, goat that escapes, misreading of 'z'zl, Azazel)

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