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The definition of mea culpa translates literally from Latin as through my fault. It’s meant to be an interjection, an admission of wrongdoing or an expression of guilt over something you’ve done. It’s like saying, “Oops, my bad,” but with a touch more elegance and a sprinkle of ancient Roman flare.
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Sep 2, 2022 · Mea culpa is an interjection meaning “through my fault.” It can also be used as a noun referring to an admission of guilt. “Mea culpa” originates from a prayer of confession in the Catholic Church, but it’s now used in a more general sense to admit that something was your fault or to refer to a formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Mea culpa, which means "through my fault" in Latin, comes from a prayer of confession in the Catholic Church. Said by itself, it's an exclamation of apology or remorse that is used to mean "It was my fault" or "I apologize." Mea culpa is also a noun, however.
Mar 29, 2007 · Mea culpa. People have trouble accommodating the Latin expression mea culpa 'my fault' into English. If you're aware of its use in the prayer the Confiteor ('I confess') in the Latin Mass, then you'll probably treat it simply as a quotation.
The phrase originates in the Confiteor which is a part of the Catholic Mass where sinners acknowledge their failings before God. Confiteor translates as ‘I confess’. It has a long history of use in English and was used by Chaucer in his Troylus as early as 1374: “Now, mea culpa, lord! I me repente.”.
mea culpa. exclamation. humorous uk / ˌmeɪ.ə ˈkʊl.pə / us / ˌmeɪ.ə ˈkʊl.pə /. Add to word list. used to admit that something was your fault. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Admitting & confessing. acknowledge something as something.
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Jul 21, 2022 · Throughout Ancient Rome, the most common way to admit you’re guilty of something was to say “mea culpa.” “Mea” (meo/mea/mei) means “my” (belonging to me), while “culpa” means “fault.” To say this phrase meant to admit your fault and apologize for what you did.
