expiation

[ ek-spee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of expiating.
2. the means by which atonement or reparation is made.

Other Words From

• expi·ation·al adjective
• nonex·pi·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English expiacioun < Latin expiātiōn- (stem of expiātiō ) atonement, satisfaction. See expiate, -ion

Example Sentences

But law is, at best, an imperfect instrument of grief and expiation.

From The Daily Beast

Even the priests of the false gods, aghast with horror at his crimes, exclaimed, There is no expiation for deeds like these.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt a secret assurance that he was no longer in a place of expiation, though I ceased not to pray for him.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a hard struggle for Luther to give up the ideas of the Middle Ages in reference to self-expiation.

From Project Gutenberg

The church taught that the world was evil, life here an expiation, heaven the soul's true home.

From Project Gutenberg

The poem entitled The Outcast expresses this feeling of mysterious remorse and unending and unavailing expiation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apology
• atonement
• indemnity
• payment
• redress
• remuneration
• renewal
• repayment
• restitution