perpetrator
(ˈpɜːpɪtreɪtə(r))
[a. L. perpetrātor, agent-n. from perpetrāre to perpetrate.]
One who perpetrates or commits (an evil deed).
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 110/2 Estemed as menquellers and perpetratours of most wicked factes. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. iii. 34 The actor or absolute perpetrator of the crime. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xix, The perpetrator of this foul murder. 1862 Burton Bk. Hunter (1863) 183 What is often said..of other crimes..if the perpetrator be sufficiently illustrious, it becomes a virtue. |
Hence ˈperpeˈtratress, perpetratrix (-ˈtreɪtrɪks) [see -ess, -rix], a female perpetrator.
| 1889 H. F. Wood Englishman Rue Caïn vi. 82 Mistress Lurid, perpetratress of those naughty tales. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 15 June, Constance Kent..the perpetratrix of the Road murder. |