Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “expiation” come from?

Expiation derives from Middle French expiation, from Latin expiatio, a noun formed from the Latin prefix ex- combined with the root pewH- meaning "to purify," ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European eǵ- and pewH-.

expiation (English): An act of atonement for a sin or wrongdoing; The...

Definitions

  1. An act of atonement for a sin or wrongdoing; The...

Ancestry of “expiation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchexpiation—
2Latinexpiatiosatisfaction, atonement, expiation, purification
3Latin-tiō—
4Latindissertātiō—
5Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
6Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
7Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
8Latincalceusshoe
9Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
10Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →