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 verb1obsolete : to put an end to2 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