| expiation | 1. The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty. "His liberality seemed to have something in it of self-abasement and expiation." (W. Irving) 2. The means by which reparation or atonement for crimes or sins is made; an expiatory sacrifice or offering; an atonement. "Those shadowy expiations weak, The blood of bulls and goats." (Milton) 3. An act by which the treats of prodigies were averted among the ancient heathen. Origin: L. Expiatio: cf.F. Expiation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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