expiatory

2 definitions found

expiatory - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Expiatory \Ex"pi*a*to*ry\, a. [L. expiatorius: cf. F.
     expiatoire.]
     Having power, or intended, to make expiation; atoning; as, an
     expiatory sacrifice.
     [1913 Webster]

expiatory - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  expiatory
      adj 1: having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation
             or propitiation; "expiatory (or propitiatory) sacrifice"
             [syn: expiatory, expiative, propitiatory]