libations

Meanings

1. 1nounusually pluralformalreligion

   Drinks poured out as an offering to a god or in honor of someone who has died.

   Grammar: Most often plural: people pour libations. The singular 'libation' names one such pouring or one drink.

   Patterns

   • pour libations
   • make a libation to someone
   • offer libations to the gods

   At the ceremony, the priest poured libations onto the ground.

   The family made libations at the grave before leaving.

   Ancient Greeks offered libations of wine to their gods.

2. 2nouncountablehumorousformal

   A drink, especially an alcoholic one, said humorously or in a formal, jokey way.

   Grammar: Countable and often singular here: 'a libation' means one drink; the plural means several drinks.

   Patterns

   • enjoy a libation
   • a few libations

   After the long hike we sat down and enjoyed a few well-earned libations.

   He raised his glass and asked for a libation to celebrate the news.

Word forms

Common combinations

pour libations

They poured libations to honor the ancestors.

make a libation

The priest made a libation before the crowd.

offer libations

Worshippers offered libations at the altar.

a few libations

We had a few libations after the show.

well-earned libations

The team celebrated with well-earned libations.

Synonyms and how they differ

offering

A general word for anything given to a god; 'libation' is specifically a liquid poured out.

drink

The everyday word for something you drink, without any religious or joking tone.

toast

A drink taken while wishing someone well; a libation is poured as an offering, not drunk in someone's honor.

Word family

libation noun

The singular form: one poured offering or one drink.

Commonly confused: libations or oblation?

Practice

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