01 n. The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty.
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1.
The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty.“His liberality seemed to have something in it of self-abasement and expiation.” — W. Irving.
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2.
The means by which reparation or atonement for crimes or sins is made; an expiatory sacrifice or offering; an atonement.“Those shadowy expiations weak, The blood of bulls and goats.” — Milton.
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3.
An act by which the threats of prodigies were averted among the ancient heathen.[Obs.]