(an instance of) the Christian ceremony of touching a person with, or putting a person in, water, to show that he or she is accepted as a member of the church

church rite; initiation

the effect in a tragedy or such qualities as fear and pity on the audience's emotions, especially feelings of relief and elation

purging, purification

punishment which one imposes on oneself to show one is sorry

reparation for wrong

to get/give little attention to a person because he or she does not deserve it

reparation for wrong