exculpation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
    excuse; alibi; self-justification.
    • he kept finding excuses to stay
    • every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job
    • his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
  2. noun the act of freeing from guilt or blame

WordNet

Ex`cul*pa"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. LL. exculpatio.
Definitions
  1. The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime; that which exculpates; excuse.
    These robbers, however, were men who might have made out a strong case in exculpation of themselves. Southey.

Webster 1913