līˈbāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin libation-, libatio, from libatus (past participle of libare to pour as an offering) + -ion-, -io -ion; akin to Greek leibein to pour, drip, Lithuanian lieti to pour
1. : the act of pouring a liquid (as wine) either on the ground or on a victim in a sacrifice to a deity
2.
a. : a liquid (as wine) serving as a libation or poured out in or as if in the manner of a libation
pours water on the ground as a libation to Mother Earth — J.G.Frazer
also : the amount of such a liquid
poured … a generous libation of paraffin on the embers — Mary Webb
b. : a drink (as of wine) often taken ceremoniously
the copious libations of Burgundy in which he had indulged — T.L.Peacock
consuming a final libation at the bar — F.V.W.Mason
a libation in celebration of their long marriage
• li·ba·tion·al -shən ə l, -shnəl adjective
• li·ba·tion·ary -shəˌnerē adjective