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; see -cle ², -ar ¹

Example Sentences

The Carnea appears to have been at once agrarian, military and piacular in character.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

Or what a piacular prevarication is it to borrow from any other church which was less reformed, a pattern of policy for this church which was more reformed.

From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George

In like manner, there is in the illuminated and guilt-smitten conscience an appetency for the piacular work of Christ, as that which alone can give it pacification.

From Sermons to the Natural Man by Shedd, William G. T. (William Greenough Thayer)

Where, on the other hand, the victim is a fellow tribesman, the sacrifice is expiatory or piacular.

From Myth, Ritual and Religion — Volume 1 by Lang, Andrew

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

From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Westbrook, Richard B.