atone
verbUK /əˈtəʊn/ · US /əˈtoʊn/
Etymology From atone (“reconciled”), from Middle English atone, attone, atoon (“agreed”, literally “at one”), equivalent to at + one. Compare Latin adūnō (“to unite, make one”) for the similar formation. Regarding the different phonological development of atone and one, see the note in one.
1
Ambitransitive To make reparation, compensation, amends or satisfaction for an offence, crime, mistake or deficiency.
- He tried to atone for his mistakes by working harder.
- She gave a donation to atone for her past actions.
1 more example
- The ritual was performed to atone for sins.
2
Obsolete To bring at one or at concordance; to reconcile; to suffer appeasement.
3
Obsolete To agree or accord; to be in accordance or harmony.
4
Obsolete To unite in making.
5
Proscribed To absolve (someone else) of wrongdoing, especially by standing as an equivalent.
- Synonyms
- abegge, abide, aby/abye, acquit, answer, answer for, assoil, atone, expiate, make amends, propitiate, recover, redeem, repair, reparate
- Hypernyms
- compensate