expiatory

American  

[ek-spee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈɛk spi əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

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

   expiatory sacrifices.

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expiatory British  

/ -trɪ, ˈɛkspɪətərɪ /

adjective

1. capable of making expiation

2. given or offered in expiation

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Other Word Forms

• nonexpiatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of expiatory

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

Example Sentences

As the state Librarian dryly explained: "It is an expiatory sacrifice to veracity, to good sense and true taste."

From Time Magazine Archive

But it is not to last�Stine is married to another, while Joachim is wedded only to his simple expiatory life.

From Time Magazine Archive

"After the great Christ paintings of the Renaissance, this is the first nonreligious painting of an expiatory personage, a self-sacrifice figure."

From Time Magazine Archive

The ritual distinguished burnt offerings, offerings of purification, expiatory offerings, and offerings of the first fruits; besides animals and the firstlings of the field, sacrificial cakes were frequently offered.

From The History of Antiquity, Vol. I (of VI) by Duncker, Max

This individual, however, desired his right hand might be amputated immediately after his decease, as an expiatory judgment against himself, in having signed dishonourable deeds to injure the happiness of the princess.

From Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume I (of 2) Including, Among Other Important Matters, Full Particulars of the Mysterious Death of the Princess Charlotte by Hamilton, Lady Anne