expiatory

[ek-spee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. able to make atonement or expiation; offered by way of expiation.

   expiatory sacrifices.

expiatory

/ -trɪ, ˈɛkspɪətərɪ /

adjective

1. capable of making expiation

2. given or offered in expiation

Other Word Forms

• nonexpiatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiatory¹

1540–50; < Late Latin expiātōrius, equivalent to expiā ( re ) ( expiate ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

But the new principle speedily degenerated into a belief in the expiatory nature of the gifts.

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A great expiatory sacrifice succeeded in finally calming him.

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The oracle, being again consulted by Temenus, bade him offer an expiatory sacrifice and banish the murderer for ten years, and look out for a man with three eyes to act as guide.

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In the philosophy of Plato, on the other hand, punishment was chiefly expiatory and purificatory.

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

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