cleanse

[klenz] /klɛnz/
verb (used with object), cleansed, cleansing.
1.
to make clean.
2.
to remove by or as if by cleaning:
to cleanse sin from the soul.
verb (used without object), cleansed, cleansing.
3.
to become clean.
Origin
before 900; Middle English clensen, Old English clǣnsian, equivalent to clǣne clean + -si- v. suffix + -an infinitive suffix
Related forms
cleansable, adjective
recleanse, verb (used with object), recleansed, recleansing.
uncleansable, adjective
uncleansed, adjective
well-cleansed, adjective
Can be confused
clean, cleanse (see synonym study at clean)
Synonyms
1. See clean.
Examples from the web for cleansing
  • That's because facial hair is more resistant to cleansing after exposure in a laboratory setting.
  • The faithful believe its waters are cleansing, but science tells a different story.
  • Then the students rated products, including cleansing ones such as soap or toothpaste.
  • The article said there could be no cleansing of soot in the upper atmosphere because rain falls below that point.
  • The filtering device should be self cleansing and notify the user when a new filter is necessary.
  • Coal is a great cleansing agent, its used in air and water purifiers.
  • She was a bureaucratic expediter of ethnic cleansing.
  • cleansing with paint thinner and isotonic saline solution was necessary.
  • And neither one allows for the cleansing effect of waves.
  • Water vapor does go away rapidly while it is cleansing the air as rain at times.
British Dictionary definitions for cleansing

cleanse

/klɛnz/
verb (transitive)
1.
to remove dirt, filth, etc, from
2.
to remove guilt from
3.
to remove a group of people from (an area) by means of ethnic cleansing
Derived Forms
cleansable, adjective
Word Origin
Old English clǣnsian; related to Middle Low German klēnsen; see clean
Word Origin and History for cleansing
n.

Old English clænsunge "cleansing, purifying, castigation; chastity, purity," verbal noun from the root of cleanse. As a present participle adjective, attested from c.1300.

cleanse

v.

Old English clænsian "to cleanse, purge, purify, chasten, justify," from West Germanic *klainson, from *klainoz (see clean (adj.)). Despite its modern spelling (16c.), it retains its Middle English pronunciation. Related: Cleansed; cleansing.