culprit

From Anglo-Norman cul. prit, contraction of culpable: prest (d'averrer nostre bille) 'guilty: ready (to prove our case)', words used by prosecutor in opening a trial, mistaken in English for an address to the defendant. See culpable.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkʌl.pɹɨt/

• Audio (US)

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culprit (plural culprits)

1. The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

   I have tightened the loose bolt that was the culprit; it should work now.

   • 2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport‎:

     But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.

2. (Britain, law) A prisoner accused but not yet tried.

• See also Thesaurus:criminal

• culpable
• mea culpa