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)

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" 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

And in like manner in Egypt the piacular sacrifice of the cow-goddess Isis-Hathor was a bull, and the sacrifice was accompanied by lamentations as at the funeral of a kinsman.”

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

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