Expiative (Adjective)
Meaning
Having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation; "expiatory (or propitiatory) sacrifice".
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).
Examples
- The priest offered the expiative prayers to purify the soul of the deceased.
- In some cultures, the ritual sacrifice of animals is seen as an expiative act to appease the gods.
- According to legend, the hero's bravery was an expiative sacrifice that brought peace to the warring nations.
- The donation to the charity was made as an expiative gesture to make amends for past wrongdoing.
- The judge ordered the perpetrator to perform community service as an expiative measure to atone for the crime.