Word of the Day: Atone and Atonement

a-tone / əˈtōn   verb  

1. to make amends

The ability of a person to atone has always been the most remarkable of human features. Leon Uris, 1924-2003  

2. to make up, as for errors, usually followed by for

Discerning placement of a comma does not atone for a spiritual coma. Paramahansa Yogananda, 1893-1952   a-tone-ment / əˈtōnmənt noun  

1. amends or reparations made for a wrong

The beginning of atonement is the sense of its necessity. Lord Byron, 1788-1824  

2. in theology, the reconciliation of God and humankind through the death of Christ, usually capitalized

The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity. David A. Bednar, 1952-  

3. in Christian Science, the exemplifying of humankind’s oneness with God

The teaching of most modern churches is that man is out of harmony with God now, and that he must resort to some means, described as atonement, in order to regain his proper state of accord with his Maker. Louis A. Gregory, ?-