ablution
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
- From Middle English, ablucioun (“cleansing of impurities”), from Old French ablution, and its source, Late Latin ablūtiō (“a washing away”), from abluō (“wash away”), from ab (“away”) + luō (“wash”)[1].
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
ablution (plural ablutions)
- The act of washing something.
- (chemistry) Originally, the purifying of oils and other substances by emulsification with hot water; now more generally, a thorough cleansing of a precipitate or other non-dissolved substance. [First attested from around 1350 to 1470.][2]
- The act of washing or cleansing the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite. [From mid 16th century.][2]
- (literary or humorous, usually in the plural) Washing oneself; bathing, cleaning oneself up. [From mid 18th century.][2]
- 1835, William Gilmore Simms, The Partisan, Harper, Chapter II, page 25:
- He followed the steps of Bella, who soon conducted him to his chamber, and left him to those ablutions which a long ride along a sandy road had rendered particularly necessary.
- 1835, William Gilmore Simms, The Partisan, Harper, Chapter II, page 25:
- (Western Christianity) The rinsing of the priest's hand and the sacred vessel following the Communion with, depending on rite, water or a mix of it and wine, which may then be drunk by the priest. [from 17th c.]
- The liquid used in the cleansing or ablution. [From early 18th century.][2]
- Alexander Pope
- Cast the ablutions in the main.
- Alexander Pope
- (Orthodox Christianity) The ritual consumption by the deacon or priest of leftover sacred wine of host after the Communion.
- (plural only, UK, military) The location or building where the showers and sinks are located. [From mid 20th century.][2]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
the act of washing or cleansing
the water used in cleansing
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Roman Catholic Church: a small quantity of wine and water
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Translations to be checked
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Anagrams[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ 2004 [1998], Elliott K. Dobbie; Dunmore, C. William, et al., Barnhart, Robert K. editor, Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, Edinburgh, Scotland: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, ISBN 0550142304, page 3:
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2003 [1933], Brown, Lesley editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, edition 5th, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7, page 5-6:
French[edit]
Noun[edit]
ablution f (plural ablutions)
- (Western Christianity) Ritual rinsing of the priest's hand; ablution.
- (rare) A washing, especially ritual.
Usage notes[edit]
- The various other meanings of the word are usually only used in the plural.
Derived terms[edit]
References[edit]
- ablution in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Anagrams[edit]
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Chemistry
- English literary terms
- English jocular terms
- en:Christianity
- English pluralia tantum
- British English
- en:Military
- French nouns
- French feminine nouns
- fr:Christianity
- French terms with rare senses
