expiatory
/'ekspiətəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having the power or purpose of making amends for wrongdoing; serving to atone for sin or guilt.
- Offered as a means of expiation or propitiation.
Usage
The adjective expiatory is used to describe actions, rituals, or offerings intended to make reparation for a wrong, a sin, or an offense. It is a formal term often found in religious, moral, or legal contexts.
Examples
- The community performed an expiatory ritual to cleanse the village of the perceived curse.
- He made an expiatory donation to the charity, hoping it would make up for his past mistakes.
- In some traditions, an expiatory sacrifice is offered to appease divine wrath.
Advanced Usage
- Expiatory act: A specific deed undertaken to atone for a transgression.
- His public apology was seen as an expiatory act to regain the public's trust.
- Expiatory function: The role something serves in providing atonement.
- The punishment had an expiatory function, aiming to restore moral balance.
Variants and Related Words
- Expiate (verb): To make amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing.
- He sought to expiate his sins through prayer and good deeds.
- Expiation (noun): The act of making amends or reparation for guilt or sin; atonement.
- The ceremony was an act of expiation for the community's failures.
Synonyms
- Propitiatory: Intended to win or regain the favor of a god, spirit, or person.
- Atoning: Making amends for a wrong or injury.
- Penitential: Relating to or expressing penitence or penance.
Antonyms
- Offensive: Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry.
- Aggravating: Making a problem or offense worse or more serious.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Expiatory offering: A sacrifice or gift made for the purpose of atonement.
- The ancient priests presented an expiatory offering on the altar.
- Expiatory justice: A concept in some legal or philosophical systems where punishment serves to atone for the crime.
- The theory of expiatory justice differs from purely deterrent models.
Adjective
- having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
- expiatory (or propitiatory) sacrifice