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, or clerk