propitiatory

[pruh-pish-ee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. serving or intended to propitiate.

2. making propitiation; conciliatory.

noun

1. mercy seat.

propitiatory

/ prəˈpɪʃɪətərɪ /

adjective

1. designed or intended to propitiate; conciliatory; expiatory

noun

1. the mercy seat

Other Word Forms

• propitiatorily adverb
• unpropitiatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propitiatory¹

1275–1325; (noun) Middle English propiciatori the mercy seat < Late Latin propitiātōrium ( propitiate, -tory ² ); (adj.) < Late Latin propitiātōrius ( -tory ¹ )

Example Sentences

We see Agamemnon being advised by spin doctors on how to sacrifice his young daughter, Iphigenia, as a propitiatory offering to the gods, with a minimum of physical mess and nasty public blowback.

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Jinni uses a propitiatory genome that goes beyond genre and stars to sort movies and TV shows by elements like plot, style and mood.

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"This is Miss Hellner," said Aunt Cuckoo, timorously offering the introduction in the manner of a propitiatory sacrifice.

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I doubt whether a real distinction can be made between propitiatory and expiatory sacrifices.

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In the Holy Scriptures, this animal is the chosen symbol of purity and the gentler virtues, the victim of propitiatory sacrifices, and the type of redemption to fallen man.

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Related Words

• conciliatory 
• contrite 
• regretful 
• remorseful 
• repentant 
• sorry