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Ablutionary

 - 4 dictionary results

ab⋅lu⋅tion

[uh-bloo-shuhn]
–noun
1. a cleansing with water or other liquid, esp. as a religious ritual.
2. the liquid thus used.
3. a washing of the hands, body, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L ablūtiōn- (s. of ablūtiō), equiv. to ablūt(us), ptp. of abluere (see abluent ) + -iōn- -ion


ab⋅lu⋅tion⋅ar⋅y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ab·lu·tion   (ə-blōō'shən, ā-blōō'-)   
n.  
  1. A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ablution 
"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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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