n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə l-pr ə t, - ˌ prit
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French cul. (abbr. of culpable guilty) + prest, prit ready (i.e., to prove it), from Latin praestus ― more at PRESTO
Date: 1678
1 : one accused of or charged with a crime
2 : one guilty of a crime or a fault
3 : the source or cause of a problem