expiate
UK[ˈɛkspɪeɪt]US[ˈɛkspɪeɪt]
v
to accept punishment for something wrong that you have done, or to perform an action as a way to show you are sorry for having done it wrong
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
pi
ate
ex
out of, thoroughly
pi
to appease, to atone
ate
to make, to act
Etymology
the word expiate originates from the latin verb 'expiare', which is a compound of 'ex-' (meaning "thoroughly") and 'piare' (meaning "to appease, to atone"). the root 'piare' itself is connected to 'pius', an adjective denoting dutiful respect towards gods, family, or country. literally, the latin term meant "to make pious by purifying" or "to atone for thoroughly." this concept evolved into the modern english meaning, which focuses on the act of making amends or accepting punishment to right a wrong, thereby cleansing oneself of guilt or sin. the journey from a ritualistic religious purification to a more general moral and legal redress illustrates the abstraction of the term over time.
Analysis
Structure: ex + pi + ate
ex: latin origin, meaning "out of, thoroughly". a prefix indicating removal or completion.
pi: from latin 'piare', meaning "to appease, to atone". this is a bound root derived from 'pius' (dutiful, devout).
ate: latin origin, a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, to act".
Examples
he sought to expiate his crimes through years of community service.
in some cultures, a sacrifice was offered to expiate the sins of the people.
she felt a need to expiate her guilt by confessing everything.