What does "expiate" refer to?

The term "expiate" specifically refers to the act of atoning for or making amends for wrongdoing or guilt. It derives from a Latin root meaning "to make amends." When someone seeks to expiate their actions, they are engaged in a process of reconciliation, often involving actions or rituals intended to remove or compensate for a sense of transgression or moral failure. This concept is commonly found in discussions of ethics, religion, and morality, where individuals seek redemption or forgiveness for their past actions.

In contrast, the other choices relate to different meanings that do not capture the essence of expiation. To lessen the seriousness implies a reduction of gravity but does not suggest making amends. Spitting or coughing up refers to a physical action, and depriving of possession means to take away ownership, neither of which aligns with the notion of atoning for one’s actions. Thus, choice B accurately encapsulates the primary definition of "expiate."