Expiatory: meaning, definitions and examples
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expiatory
[ ɛkˈspɪə.tər.i ]
moral context
Expiatory refers to something that serves to atone for or to make amends for wrongdoing or guilt. It often involves acts of penitence or sacrifice to achieve forgiveness and restore balance.
Synonyms
atoning, penitential, redeeming, reparative
Examples of usage
- He offered an expiatory sacrifice to cleanse his conscience.
- The expiatory rituals were performed to seek divine forgiveness.
- Her heartfelt apology was seen as an expiatory gesture.
- The expiatory measures taken by the council aimed to reconcile with the affected community.
Translations
Translations of the word "expiatory" in other languages:
🇵🇹 expiatório
🇮🇳 क्षमा करने वाला
🇩🇪 sühneleistend
🇮🇩 tebus
🇺🇦 експіаторний
🇵🇱 ekspiacyjny
🇯🇵 贖罪の
🇫🇷 expiatoire
🇪🇸 expiatorio
🇹🇷 af çıkartıcı
🇰🇷 속죄의
🇸🇦 كفاري
🇨🇿 expiatorní
🇸🇰 expiatórny
🇨🇳 赎罪的
🇸🇮 ekspiativen
🇮🇸 sómasamur
🇰🇿 жоғалту
🇬🇪 შედეგის მოპოვება
🇦🇿 kefarət
🇲🇽 expiatorio
Etymology
The word 'expiatory' is derived from the Latin word 'expiatorius' which comes from 'expiate', meaning to atone for guilt or sin. The prefix 'ex-' signifies 'out of' or 'from', while 'piare' means 'to appease or purify'. The term has been used in various religious and philosophical contexts to indicate actions that are intended to make amends for transgressions. Its usage can be traced back to ecclesiastical texts where rituals and sacrifices were described as means of expiation. The concept of atonement has been significant in many cultures, often involving both personal remorse and communal rites that facilitate reconciliation.