exculpate

From Medieval Latin exculpātus, perfect passive participle of exculpō, from Latin ex culpa, from ex- (“out, from”) + culpa (“fault; blame”).

exculpate (third-person singular simple present exculpates, present participle exculpating, simple past and past participle exculpated)

1. To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.
   • 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 4, in The Dust of Conflict‎:

     The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected. Northrop knew all about Tony's flirtation with Lucy Davidson, but it also knew a good deal more about that lady than Tony did, and exculpated him.

• absolve
• acquit
• disculpate
• exonerate
• pardon

• condemn
• inculpate
• indict

• exculpatory