cleanse
v.v. to make something clean and pure. You use it when you want to remove dirt, bad habits, or unwanted things from a place or person.
v. to remove dirt, impurities, or undesirable elements from a surface, substance, or abstract entity. Transitive; typically takes a direct object.
She likes to cleanse her skin every morning.
The team decided to cleanse the database of old records before the new software launch.
The ritual was designed to cleanse the spirit of guilt, allowing the participant to begin the year with a clear conscience.
From Middle English clensen, from Old English clǣnsian, from Proto-West Germanic klainisōn, from Proto-West Germanic klainī (“clean”). Cognate with West Frisian klinzgje (“to clean, cleanse”), archaic Dutch kleinzen (“to clean, purify”), Middle Low German klênsen, kleinsen, clensen (“to purify”).
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
- Verbcleanse
- Nouncleanser