I. ˈekspēˌāt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin expiatus, past participle of expiare to atone for, purify, from ex- ex- (I) + piare to appease, atone for — more at pious
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to put an end to : cause to die out
somewhat to expiate their savage fury — Thomas Adams
2. obsolete : to purify with sacred rites : cleanse
he lustrated and expiated the city — Thomas Stanley
3.
a. : to extinguish the guilt incurred by : make propitiation for
trying to expiate by justice and mercy the dark deeds of his bloodstained youth — Charles Kingsley
b. : to pay the penalty for
the casual offender expiates his offense in the company of defectives — B.N.Cardozo
c. : to make amends for
sought to expiate their failures by adding a few sprigs or posies — Lewis Mumford
4. : to ward off by sacred rites : avert
disaster shall fall upon you, which you will not be able to expiate — Isa 47:11 (Revised Standard Version)
intransitive verb
: to make expiation
we are willing enough to repent, but the Higher Law requires that we expiate — W.L.Sullivan
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin expiatus, past participle of expiare
obsolete : fully come
make haste; the hour of death is expiate — Shakespeare