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. [Obs.] Hayward.
EXPIATIST
Ex"pi*a*tist, n.
Defn: An expiator. [R.]
EXPIATOR
Ex"pi*a`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who makes expiation or atonement.
EXPIATORIOUS
Ex`pi*a*to"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Of an expiatory nature; expiatory. Jer. Taylor.
EXPIATORY
Ex"pi*a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. expiatorius: cf. F. expiatoire.]