propitiate
UK: /prəˈpɪʃ.i.eɪt/ | US: /prəˈpɪʃ.i.eɪt/
vt. to win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them
vt. to appease or pacify, especially through conciliatory gestures
propitiate = pro<toward> + piti<favor> + ate<verb suffix>
- pro (Latin "pro"): prefix meaning "forward, toward, in favor of"
- piti (Latin "propitius"): root meaning "favorable, gracious"
- ate: verb-forming suffix indicating action
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin propitiare ("to appease"), itself from propitius ("favorable"). The root pit- is linked to Indo-European pet- ("to rush, fly"), metaphorically extended to concepts of divine favor "flying toward" a supplicant. The word reflects ancient rituals of offering gifts or prayers to deities to secure their goodwill, later generalized to human reconciliation.
The villagers sacrificed a goat to propitiate the storm god.
He sent flowers to propitiate his angry girlfriend.
Ancient kings often built temples to propitiate the gods.
Diplomats worked tirelessly to propitiate the hostile nation.
Her apology was meant to propitiate her offended colleague.