atone

views updated May 14 2018

atone †reconcile, appease XVI (once XIV be reconciled); make reconcilement, amends XVII. Back-formation from atonement (XVI), f. phr. at one in harmony (XIII) + -MENT, after medL. adūnāmentum (VIII), f. adūnāre unite, and earlier onement, as used in make an onement be reconciled, set at onement reconcile.

atone

views updated Jun 11 2018

a·tone / əˈtōn/ • v. [intr.] make amends or reparation: he was being helpful, to atone for his past mistakes.

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