/ ˈekspieɪt; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to accept punishment for sth that you have done wrong in order to show that you are sorry :
He had a chance to confess and expiate his guilt.
► ex·pi·ation / ˌekspiˈeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , sing. ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (in the sense end (rage, sorrow, etc.) by suffering it to the full ): from Latin expiat- appeased by sacrifice, from the verb expiare , from ex- out + piare (from pius pious).