Exculpatory
Exculpatory
Myron from Big Rapids
asked about the word exculpatory. It is usually found in the phrase,
exculpatory evidence. In a criminal trial, that would be evidence that tends to
excuse the defendant from guilt – witness testimony, physical evidence, video,
etc. Its opposite is inculpatory evidence, proof that the defendant did commit the crime.
Both words are built on
the Latin word culpa, guilt or fault.
The ex- prefix means to take away.
The in- prefix means to bring in.
The culpa root shows up
in other English words.
·
culpability:
the quality of being guilty
·
culpate: to
find fault with
·
culpation: a
finding fault with
·
culpatory:
expressing blame
·
culpose: characterized
by criminal negligence
·
culprit: a
person guilty of a fault
·
disculpate:
to absolve from blame
·
disculpation:
exoneration
·
disculpatory:
exonerating from blame
Liturgically, there are
two classical uses of culpa. St.
Augustine of Hippo wrote, O felix culpa
(Oh, happy fault!) in reference to the original sin of Adam and Eve, since it
led to redemption. The other use shows up in a Mass prayer called the
Confiteor. It contains the lines
mea culpa
(through my fault)
mea culpa
(through my fault)
mea maxima culpa
(through my most grievous fault)
Listen to Mike’s program in real
time every Tuesday morning, 9:10 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to wtcmradio.com
and clicking on Listen Now. You’ll
also find about a month’s worth of podcasts there under The Ron Jolly Show.
Comments