Apri () in Sanskrit means "conciliation, propitiation" and refers to special invocations spoken previous to the offering of oblations in an animal sacrifice. Some scholars have proposed however, that these hymns were originally meant for a family ritual centered around Agni, which was then later connected to the animal sacrifice.
Aprisuktas Of the ten Aprisuktas mentioned in Gargya Narayana's commentary, I.13 and I.142 both invoke the and manifestations of Agni, I.188, III.4, IX.5 and X.110 invoke only the manifestation and II.3, V.5, VII.2 and X.70 invoke only the manifestation.
1.13 1.142 1.188 2.3 3.4 5.5 7.2 9.5 10.70 10.110
References
in: Monier-Williams A Sanskrit Dictionary, 1899. R. Fick, "Gotra" in: ed. Hastings, Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics vol. 6, 1999, p. 355 Samir Nath, "Gotra-system" in: Dictionary Of Vedanta, 2002, p. 153.