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expiation

[ ek-spee-ey-shuh n ]
/ ˌɛk spiˈeɪ ʃən /
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noun

the act of expiating.
the means by which atonement or reparation is made.

RELATED WORDS

contribution, gift, reparation, penance, redemption, retribution, penitence, repentance, contrition, remorse, atonement, forgiveness, absolution, distillation, apology, renewal, redress, repayment, indemnity, payment

Nearby words

expertize, expertly, experto crede, expiable, expiate, expiation, expiatory, expiration, expiration date, expiratory, expiratory reserve volume

Origin of expiation

1375–1425; late Middle English expiacioun < Latin expiātiōn- (stem of expiātiō) atonement, satisfaction. See expiate, -ion
Related formsex·pi·a·tion·al, adjectivenon·ex·pi·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expiation

British Dictionary definitions for expiation

expiation

/ (ˌɛkspɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the act, process, or a means of expiating; atonement
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for expiation

expiation

n.

early 15c., via Middle French expiation or directly from Latin expiationem (nominative expiatio) "satisfaction, atonement," noun of action from past participle stem of expiare "make amends," from ex- "completely" (see ex-) + piare "propitiate, appease," from pius "faithful, loyal, devout" (see pious).

The sacrifice of expiation is that which tendeth to appease the wrath of God. [Thomas Norton, translation of Calvin's "Institutes of Christian Religion," 1561]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper