aition

noun

ai·​ti·​on

ˈī-tē-ˌän

plural aitia

ˈī-tē-ə

or aitions

: a tale devised to explain the origin of a religious observance

Word History

Etymology

Greek aition cause, from neuter singular of aitios responsible; akin to Greek aitia cause

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

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