(~s)
1.
An ~ is a person who has committed a crime.
The authorities often know that sex ~s will attack again when they are released.
N-COUNT: oft supp N
2.
You can refer to someone or something which you think is causing a problem as an ~.
The contraceptive pill is the worst ~, but it is not the only drug to deplete the body’s vitamin levels.
= culprit
N-COUNT