piacular

American  

[pahy-ak-yuh-ler] / paɪˈæk yə lər /

adjective

1. expiatory; atoning; reparatory.

2. requiring expiation; sinful or wicked.

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piacular British  

/ paɪˈækjʊlə /

adjective

1. making expiation for a sacrilege

2. requiring expiation

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Other Word Forms

• piacularly adverb
• piacularness noun

Etymology

Origin of piacular

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin piāculāris “(of a rite or sacrifice) expiatory, atoning,” equivalent to piācul(um) “expiatory offering, sacrificial victim,” derivative of piā(re) “to propitiate a god, expiate,” derivative of pius “dutiful, faithful (to the gods, one’s country, family, kindred and friends)” + -culum neuter noun suffix for instruments and places + -āris adjective suffix; -cle ², -ar ¹

Example Sentences

One conspicuous feature of Ezekiel’s system is the predominance of piacular sacrifice.

From Project Gutenberg

The idea of substitution is widespread among all early religions, and is found in honorific as well as piacular rites.

From Project Gutenberg

When the flesh of the sacrifice is consumed by the priests, as with certain Roman piacula and Hebrew sin-offerings, the sacrificial flesh is seemingly a gift accepted by the deity and assigned by him to the priests, so that the distinction between a honorific and a piacular sacrifice is partly obliterated.

From Project Gutenberg

The most curious developments of piacular sacrifice take place in the worship of deities of the totem type.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, Hecaté was invoked as a dog, and dogs were her piacular sacrifices.

From Project Gutenberg