expiable

[ek-spee-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being expiated.

   an expiable crime.

ˈexpiable

/ ˈɛkspɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being expiated or atoned for

Other Word Forms

• nonexpiable adjective
• unexpiable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ˈexpiable¹

1560–70; < Late Latin expiābilis, equivalent to expiā ( re ) to expiate + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

Homicide was not the only crime thus expiable: blood-money could be exacted for all crimes of violence.

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The murder of a man not consanguineous, even though he be the husband of the murderess, is expiable, does not concern the Erinyes; it is only their duty to prosecute the murder of consanguineous relatives.

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Missing silver spoons and cooked petty cash were trivialities usually expiable at the price of a boot-assisted dismissal; but this—!

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