propitiate

Definition

To conciliate, appease, or make peace with someone, particularly a god or spirit.

Etymology

From Latin propitiāt-, the past participial stem of propitiāre (“make favourable”), from propitius (“favourable, gracious”).

Example Sentences

• "Let fierce Achilles, dreadful in his rage, The god propitiate, and the pest assuage."
• "But polite and politic it is, to propitiate your hostess."
• "[H]e heard . . . one of the soldiers singing as he cleaned his rifle—the men always sang over this business, as if to propitiate the gun god."

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