expiation
ek-spee-AY-shuhn
/ˌɛkspiˈeɪʃən/
The act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement.
Focuses on the formal action or sacrifice made to erase guilt and restore balance.
The story behind the word. Expiation comes from Latin 'expiatio', derived from 'piare', meaning to appease or purify through religious ritual. The prefix 'ex-' signifies doing something completely, making expiation a total cleansing of offense through appropriate action.
Word relationships
- atonement: Atonement emphasizes reconciliation and oneness after a rift, while expiation stresses wiping away guilt through payment or sacrifice.
- transgression: Transgression is the act of breaking a law or rule, creating the debt that expiation repays.
Commonly confused with
- expiration: Expiration means coming to an end or exhaling, whereas expiation means making amends for wrongdoing.
Word family
- expiate (verb): to make amends for guilt or sin
- expiatory (adjective): intended to make amends
Collocations
- act of expiation
- seek expiation
- expiation of guilt
Example sentences
- "The disgraced leader devoted his remaining years to charity as an act of expiation." Philosophical essay
Memory hook
EXPIATION clears the 'expiration' date on your guilt by making full amends. Wiping out guilt through sacrifice.
When not to use
Do not use for simple verbal apologies; expiation requires tangible acts or sacrifices.
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'piare' is also the ancestor of our word 'pious', linking sacred duty directly to making amends.
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