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

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

It would probably be impossible to find any examples of human sacrifices of an expiatory or piacular character, any sacrifices at all, among Australians, or Andamanese, or Fuegians.

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

At a later time, when cereals were cultivated, they formed an important part of sacrificial offerings, and were held—as, for example, among the Greeks and the Hebrews—to have piacular efficacy.

From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Jastrow, Morris

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

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