Exculpate v.

[f. EX- pref.¹ + L. culp-a blame + -ATE³. Cf. It. scolpare, med.L. *exculpāre implied in exculpātio (Du Cange).]

  1.  trans. To free from blame; to declare free from guilt; to clear from an accusation or blame.

1656–81.  [see 1 b].

1721.  in Bailey.

1841.  G. P. R. James, Brigand, xx. She exculpates me from blame in this matter.

1850.  Grote, Greece, II. lxii. The latter stood exculpated on both charges.

  refl.  1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (ed. 3), VIII. 322 (J.). A good child will not seek to exculpate herself at the expence of the most revered characters.

1809–10.  Coleridge, Friend (1865), 110. From this charge of inconsistency I shall best exculpate myself by the full statement of the third system.

1863.  Mrs. Oliphant, Salem Chapel, iv. 63. Poor Vincent made a hasty effort to exculpate himself from the soft impeachment.

  † b.  intr. for refl. Obs. rare.

1656–81.  Blount, Glossogr., Exculpate, to cleer ones self of a fault.

1780.  Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 315. To be over earnest in endeavours to exculpate, previous to accusation, would imply [etc.]. Ibid. (1783), Rep. Affairs India, Wks. XI. 326. Doubts whether the refusal to exculpate by oath can be used … to infer any presumption of guilt.

  2.  Of things: † a. To serve as an excuse for; to justify. Obs. rare. b. To furnish ground for exculpating. Const. from.

1706.  Phillips (ed. Kersey), s.v., Good meaning will never exculpate blind and Superstitious Devotion.

1783.  Burke, Rep. Affairs India, Wks. XI. 132. Evidence, which may tend to criminate, or exculpate, every person.

1875.  Farrar, Seekers, I. vi. 83. The tenor of his life has sufficient weight to exculpate him from an unsupported accusation.