Main Entry: ex·pi·ate

Pronunciation: \ˈek-spē-ˌāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·pi·at·ed; ex·pi·at·ing

Etymology: Latin expiatus, past participle of expiare to atone for, from ex- + piare to atone for, appease, from pius faithful, pious

Date: circa 1500

transitive verb 1 obsolete : to put an end to
2 a : to extinguish the guilt incurred by b : to make amends for <permission to expiate their offences by their assiduous labours — Francis Bacon>intransitive verb : to make expiation

— ex·pi·a·ble \ˈek-spē-ə-bəl\ adjective

— ex·pi·a·tor \-spē-ˌā-tər\ noun