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.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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