ˌekspēˈāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English expiacioun, from Latin expiation-, expiatio, from expiatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of making atonement : the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty
the tree remains a symbol of agony and expiation — P.B.Sears
2. : the means by which atonement is made : something done as an act of atonement
the payment of money was ever welcomed as the ready expiation of crime — J.A.Froude
• ex·pi·a·tion·al |ekspē|āshən ə l, -shnəl adjective