Word of the Day

: May 19, 2013

atone

verb uh-TOHN

What It Means

1 : to supply satisfaction for

2 : to make amends

atone in Context

Jamie tried to atone for his teasing of his sister by offering her some of his candy.

"For all the redemption songs in recent weeks, Bank of America Corp. still hasn't fully atoned for its mortgage mishaps." - From an article by Adam O'Daniel in Charlotte Business Journal, March 1, 2013

Did You Know?

"Atone" comes to us from the combination in Middle English of "at" and "on," the latter of which is an old variant of "one." Together they meant "in harmony." (In current English, we use "at one" with a similar suggestion of harmony in such phrases as "at one with nature.") When it first entered English, "atone" meant "to reconcile" and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups. These days the verb specifically implies addressing the damage (or disharmony) caused by one's own behavior.