culprit

Etymology

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.

noun

  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.
    But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits. June 9, 2012, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport
  2. (UK, law) A prisoner accused but not yet tried.

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