1. A tale devised to explain the origin of a religious observance: An aition was a myth or story depicting the beginning of a sacred custom or tradition. in Ancient Greece.

Sometimes aition was used for a myth that explains an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence. 2. The most general Greek term for a cause or a responsibility: Aition was used by Aristotle, especially in reference to any one of the four kinds of answer it is legitimate to give in response to any "Why . . . ?" question.