NIENT CULPABLE

NIENT CULPABLE nient culpable (nee-ent k[schwa]l-p[schwa]-b[schwa]l), n. [Law French] Hist. A general plea of ¡°not guilty¡± in a tort or criminal action. ¡°When the prisoner hath thus pleaded not guilty, non culpabilis, or nient culpable; which was formerly used to be abbreviated upon the minutes, thus, ¡®non (or nient) cul.¡¯ the clerk of the assise, […]