ablution

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ab=lu=tion

CIDE DICTIONARY

ablution, n. [L. ablutio, fr. abluere: cf. F. ablution. See Abluent.].

•  The act of washing or cleansing; specifically, the washing of the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.  [1913 Webster]
•  The water used in cleansing.  Pope.  [1913 Webster]
•  A small quantity of wine and water, which is used to wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the communion, and which then, as perhaps containing portions of the consecrated elements, is drunk by the priest.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

ablution, n. (usu. in pl.)
1 the ceremonial washing of parts of the body or sacred vessels etc.
2 colloq. the ordinary washing of the body.
3 a building containing washing-places etc. in a camp, ship, etc.

Derivative

ablutionary adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF ablution or L ablutio (as AB-, lutio f. luere lut- wash)

THESAURUS

ablution

cleaning out, douche, douching, elution, elutriation, enema, flush, flushing, flushing out, irrigation, lathering, lavabo, lavage, lavation, laving, mopping, mopping up, rinse, rinsing, scouring, scrub, scrubbing, scrubbing up, shampoo, soaping, sponge, sponging, swabbing, wash, washing, washing up, washout, washup, wiping up

ROGET THESAURUS

ablution

Cleanness

N cleanness, cleanliness, purity, cleaning, purification, defecation, purgation, lustration, detersion, abstersion, epuration, mundation, ablution, lavation, colature, disinfection, drainage, sewerage, lavatory, laundry, washhouse, washerwoman, laundress, dhobi, laundryman, washerman, scavenger, dustman, sweep, white wings brush, broom, besom, mop, rake, shovel, sieve, riddle, screen, filter, blotter, napkin, cloth, maukin, malkin, handkerchief, towel, sudary, doyley, doily, duster, sponge, mop, swab, cover, drugget, wash, lotion, detergent, cathartic, purgative, purifier, disinfectant, aperient, benzene, benzine benzol, benolin, bleaching powder, chloride of lime, dentifrice, deobstruent, laxative, clean, cleanly, pure, immaculate, spotless, stainless, taintless, trig, without a stain, unstained, unspotted, unsoiled, unsullied, untainted, uninfected, sweet, sweet as a nut, neat, spruce, tidy, trim, gimp, clean as a new penny, like a cat in pattens, cleaned, kempt, abstergent, cathartic, cleansing, purifying, neatly, clean as a whistle.