different between culprit vs prisoner

English

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.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [?k???p??t]

Noun

culprit (plural culprits)

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.
2. (Britain, law) A prisoner accused but not yet tried.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:criminal

Related terms

• culpable
• mea culpa

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English prisoner, from Old French prisonier (compare Medieval Latin pris?n?rius), equivalent to prison +? -er.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p??z?n?/, /?p??zn?/
• (Canada, US) IPA^(key): /?p??z?n??/
• Rhymes: -?z?n?(?)

Noun

prisoner (plural prisoners)

1. A person incarcerated in a prison, while on trial or serving a sentence.
2. Any person held against their will.

   • Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile?; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

Related terms

• imprison
• prison

Translations

Anagrams

• Perrinos, erpornis

Middle English

Etymology 1

Form prisounen +? -er.

Noun

prisoner (plural prisoners)

1. one who imprisons (others); a jailer

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Old French prisonier; equivalent to prisoun +? -er.

Alternative forms

• prisonere, prysonere, prysoner, presoner
• (Cornwall) prisner

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pri?zo?n?r/, /?priz?n?r/

Noun

prisoner (plural prisoners or prisoneres)

1. prisoner
2. captive, prisoner of war

Descendants

• English: prisoner