/ ˈkʌlpəbl; NAmE / adjective
( formal ) responsible and deserving blame for having done sth wrong
► culp·abil·ity / ˌkʌlpəˈbɪləti; NAmE / noun [ U ]
► culp·ably / ˈkʌlpəbli; NAmE / adverb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense deserving punishment ): from Old French coupable , culpable , from Latin culpabilis , from culpare to blame, from culpa fault, blame.