Ablutions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of washing oneself, particularly in a ritualistic or spiritual context
2. the ceremonial cleansing of the body as part of a religious practice
3. the processes involved in maintaining personal hygiene through washing or bathing

Etymology: "Ablutions" is the plural of "ablution", and the singular carries the core idea: the Latin "abluere" was built from "ab-", meaning "away", and "lavere", meaning "wash". Put together, it describes washing something off, which is why the original sense was simply cleansing rather than anything religious. The Latin noun "ablutio" passed into Old French as "ablution" and then into Middle English as "ablucioun", which meant the cleansing of impurities in general. Over time the word narrowed toward ritual washing, the purification required before prayer or worship. The plural form now usually refers to the washing practices themselves, such as the washing of hands and face before religious rites, or, more loosely, to the routine of personal washing.

Synonyms: washing, cleansing, bathing, rinse, purification

Antonyms: dirtiness, uncleanliness, pollution, contamination, stagnation