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expiate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
expiate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
expiate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
expiate you have here. The definition of the word
expiate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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English
Etymology
From Latin expiātus, past participle of expiō (“atone for”).
Pronunciation
Verb
expiate (third-person singular simple present expiates, present participle expiating, simple past and past participle expiated)
- (transitive, intransitive) To atone or make reparation for.
1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CXIII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: , volume VII, London: S Richardson; , →OCLC, page 415:At laſt, he diſtinctly pronounced theſe three words, LET THIS EXPIATE! And then, his head ſinking on his pillow, he expired; […]
1888, Leo XIII, Quod Anniversarius:Thus those pious souls who expiate the remainder of their sins amidst such tortures will receive a special and opportune consolation, […]
- (transitive) To make amends or pay the penalty for.
1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:And when it was required of him by the rigid laws of a haphazard justice, which in retrospect seems like every night of the week, he pressed his limp forelock into a filthy washbasin, clutched a tap in each throbbing hand, and expiated a string of crimes he didn't know he had committed until they were thoughtfully explained to him between each stroke by Mr. Willow or his representatives.
- (transitive, obsolete) To relieve or cleanse of guilt.
- (transitive) To purify with sacred rites.
1609, The Holie Bible, (Douay–Rheims Bible), Doway: Lavrence Kellam, , →OCLC, Devteronomie 18:10, page 435:Neither let there be found in thee any that shal expiate his ſonne, or daughter, making them to paſſe through the fyre: or that demandeth of ſouthſayers, and obſerueth dreames and diuinations, neither let there be a ſorcerer,
- (transitive) To wind up, bring to an end.
Usage notes
Intransitive use, constructed with for (like atone), is obsolete in Christian usage, but fairly common in informal discussions of Islam.
Related terms
Translations
dated: to relieve of guilt
Translations to be checked
Anagrams
Latin
Verb
expiāte
- second-person plural present active imperative of expiō
Spanish
Verb
expiate
- second-person singular voseo imperative of expiar combined with te