Ex/pi·a'tion, n.

(ēks'pi-ā'shun), n. [Lat. expiatio, Fr. expiation, Pr. expiacio, Sp. expiacion, It. espiazione.] 1. The act of making satisfaction for an offense; atonement; satisfaction. His liberality seemed to have something in it of self-abasement and expiation. W. Irving. 2. The means by which atonement for crimes is made; atonement. Those shadowy expiations weak, The blood of bulls and goats. Milton. 3. An act by which the threats of prodigies were averted among the ancient heathen. [Obs.] Hayward.