Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CULPABLE, adj. In comb. culpable homicide, which “embraces all sorts of homicide which are neither casual nor justifiable on the one hand, nor murderous on the other” (Sc. [1754] J. Erskine Princ. Law Scot. (1903) iv. iv. 19). The English equivalent is manslaughter.Sc. 1797 D. Hume Commentaries (1819) I. 240:
The phrase of culpable homicide, as signifying homicide on great provocation, and punishable at the discretion of the Judge, has now gained a firm establishment as a known phrase of style, in libels, interlocutors, and verdicts.Sc. 1941 Scotsman (17 April) 8/1:
A corporal in the Military Police . . . accused of the murder of his wife and a naval petty officer by shooting them, was found guilty of culpable homicide.
