ablution

  1. Noun.  (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. (defdate, from 15th c.) .
  2. Noun.  The act of washing or cleansing the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  3. Noun.  (context, Western) The rinsing of the priest's hand following the Communion with, depending on rite, water or a mix of it and wine, which may then be drunk by the priest. (defdate, from 17th c.) .
  4. Noun.  (literary, or) Washing oneself; bathing, cleaning oneself up. (defdate, from 17th c.) .
  5. Noun.  The water used in cleansing. (defdate, from 17th c.) .
  6. Noun.  (context, Orthodox) The ritual consumption by the deacon or priest of leftover sacred wine of host after the Communion.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.