[ad. L. expiātiōn-em, n. of action f. expiāre to EXPIATE.]
1. The action of expiating or making atonement for (crime, etc.). In expiation (of): for the purpose of expiating. To make expiation: to atone. Also, the condition or state of being expiated.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 68. The recompensacyon and expyacyon of the grete and longe schrewdenes and cursydnes.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. 146. The sacrifice of expiation is that which tendeth to appease the wrath of God.
1611. Speed, Theat. Gt. Brit. (1614), 141/2. The Abbey … at Dublin, builded … in expiation of the murther of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury.
1681–6. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 101. He made Expiation for our Sins on the Cross.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, iii. Wks. VIII. 297. Modes of expiation … devised by anxious, restless guilt.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xx. I will found masses for his soul, in expiation of my guilt.
1883. Froude, Short Stud., IV. I. xii. 156. A more complete expiation … might be necessary before the avenging spirit … could be pacified.
b. Fast (or feast) of Expiation: a ceremony observed by the Jews on the 10th day of Tisri, at which the High Priest made expiation for his own sins and the sins of the people. Day of Expiation: the day set apart for this observance; = ‘Day of Atonement.’ Also Expiation-day.
1674. Blount, Glossogr., The Feast of Expiation.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymns Festiv., Poet. Wks. 1721, I. 317. God no Command for Fasts wou’d lay, But on their [Jews’] Expiation-Day.
a. 1713. Sharp, Serm. Matt. xii. Wks. 1754, III. xi. 201. The solemn day of expiation, which came once a year.
1886. Whitaker’s Almanack, 9. [Jewish Calendar], Oct. 9 Fast of Expiation 5647 Tisri 10.
c. The action of ceremonially purifying from guilt or pollution.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 376/1. The ceremonies of the expiacion or purgyng of the tabernacle.
1651. Baxter, Inf. Bapt., 264. The Gentiles had Rights for the expiation of Infants.
d. The action of averting portended evil by religious means.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), IX. XX. i. 6. By expiation of prodigies and various sacrifices offered to the gods.
† e. Propitiation (of a deity). Obs. rare–1.
1675. R. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 383. That conformity of Customs that the Gauls had with them [the Phœnicians] in sacrificing men for expiation of God.
2. The means by which atonement (for a crime or offence) is made; something done, or a rite observed, for the purpose of expiating.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 832. Offerynges & expiacyons.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VII. i. 339. Some have conceived it [Forbidden fruit] a Vine, in the mystery of whose fruit lay the expiation of the Transgression.
1777. Robertson, Hist. Amer. (1778), II. V. 30. To demand a certain number of human victims, as an expiation for their guilt.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, vi. The only expiation would be that thou shouldst come a mile into the Low Country.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. iv. 348. The payment of money was ever welcomed as the ready expiation of crime.
b. A rite intended to avert portended evil.
a. 1627. Sir J. Hayward, K. Edw. VI. (1630), 167. Vpon birth of such monsters, the Grecians … did vse diuerse sorts of expiations.
Hence Expiational a., pertaining to expiation.
1874. Bushnell, Forgiveness & Law, 91. The most intensely expiational form of christianity.
