expiate Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ex"pi*ate transitive verb

Etymology

L. expiatus, p.p. of expiare to expiate; ex out + piare to seek to appease, to purify with sacred rites, fr. pius pious. See Pious.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Expiated;present participle & verbal noun Expiating

Definitions

1. To extinguish the guilt of by sufferance of penalty or some equivalent; to make complete satisfaction for; to atone for; to make amends for; to make expiation for; as, to expiate a crime, a guilt, or sin.

   To expiate his treason, hath naught left. Milton.

   The Treasurer obliged himself to expiate the injury. Clarendon.

2. To purify with sacred rites. Obs.

   Neither let there be found among you any one that shall expiate his son or daughter, making them to pass through the fire. Deut. xviii. 10 (Douay version)

Ex"pi*ate adjective

Etymology

L. expiatus,p.p

Definitions

1. Terminated. Obs. Shak.