Word of the Day ·

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atonement

/əˈtoʊnmənt/

noun

What it means

  1. countableuncountableMaking amends to restore a damaged relationship; expiation.

    1697-1698, John Potter, Archaeologia Graeca The Phocians behaved themselves with so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense.

    1 more example

    When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement he can make for it is, to warn others.

    1711 March 19 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “THURSDAY, March 9, 1710–1711”, in The Spectator, number 8; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

    Synonyms: compensation, indemnification

  2. countableoftenuncountablelifestyleThe reconciliation of God and mankind through the death of Jesus.
  3. archaiccountableuncountableReconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; concord.

    by whom we have now received the atonement

    1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Romans 5:11
    1 more example

    He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers.

    c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

In a sentence

When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement he can make for it is, to warn others.

1711 March 19 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “THURSDAY, March 9, 1710–1711”, in The Spectator, number 8; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

Where it comes from

Perhaps from atone + -ment as translation of Medieval Latin adūnāmentum; however, the noun is found earlier than the verb (atone); and in this light, the proper etymology is at + onement.

Full entry for atonement →

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