Propitiation Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌprɒpɪtɪˈeɪʃən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A sacrifice or appeasement offered to appease the wrath or displeasure of a deity or a higher power.

Examples

• The king made a grand propitiation to the gods to prevent a drought.
• The priest performed a ritual of propitiation to placate the angry spirits.

Synonyms

• Expiation
• Atonement
• Sacrifice

Antonyms

• Penalty
• Reparation

Etymology

The word “propitiation” comes from the Latin word “propitiare,” meaning “to appease” or “to placate.” This Latin word is derived from the words “pro” meaning “in favor of” and “piatio” meaning “to soothe or calm.” The term has been used in English since the 15th century.

Usage Notes

Propitiation is often used in religious and mythological contexts to describe the act of making amends or sacrifices to appease a deity or higher power. In modern usage, the term can also be used metaphorically to describe the process of making amends or apologizing for a wrongdoing.

Cultural References

Propitiation has been referenced in various forms of literature and art throughout history. In Homer’s “Iliad,” for example, the Achaeans offer sacrifices and propitiation to the gods to appease their wrath. In modern literature, authors such as James Joyce and T.S. Eliot have used the term to describe the complex relationships between humans and the divine.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “A propitiatory gesture:” This phrase is used to describe an action or gesture made to appease or placate someone or something.
• “To propitiate one’s conscience:” This phrase suggests that someone is making amends or trying to ease their guilt.

Related Words or Phrases

Some related words to propitiation include apology, atonement, expiation, and sacrifice.

Collocations

Some common collocations of propitiation include “religious propitiation,” “fairy tale propitiation,” and “mythological propitiation.”

Frequency of Use

Propitiation is a relatively rare word in modern language. According to the Oxford English Corpus, a database of over 2 billion words, propitiation is used about 0.01% of the time in formal writing and 0.003% of the time in informal conversation.

Common Misspellings

• Propagation: This is a common misspelling of the word propitiation, which refers to the act of spreading or propagating an idea or a virus.
• Expiation