A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.
The liquid so used.
[Middle English ablucioun, from Latin ablūtiō, ablūtiōn-, from ablūtus, past participle of abluere, to wash away : ab-, away; see ab-1 + -luere, to wash; see leu(ə)- in Indo-European roots.] ab·lu'tion·ar'y (-shə-něr'ē) adj.
"ritual washing," c.1386, from L. ablutionem (nom. ablutio), noun of action from ablutus, pp. of abluere "to wash off," from ab- "off" + luere "wash," related to lavere (see lave).
Main Entry: ab·lu·tion Pronunciation: &-'blü-sh&n, a-'blü- Function: noun : the washing of one's body or part of it —ab·lu·tion·ary/-sh&-"ner-E/adjective