To cleanse.

transitive. To make clean, purify, free from dirt or filth (Johnson says ‘by washing or rubbing’). Formerly the ordinary word; but in modern times to…

transitive. Originally: to clean; to empty or clear out (a ditch, latrine, etc.). Now only in to farm out: to clean out (a stable or other shelter…

transitive. To clean, cleanse, polish; to clear away (filth, etc.). Now only dialect in specific applications: To clean out (a ditch, pond); to…

transitive. To clean, cleanse (out). Also figurative.

transitive. = absterge, v. (literal and figurative).

transitive. To cleanse, purify (a thing). Also †intransitive and figurative.

transitive. To free from muck, to clean; spec. to remove dung and dirt from (a stable or other shelter for an animal). Also with adverbs, as off, up…

to cast clean: to cleanse. to cast open: to open suddenly, ‘throw open’; also to open a way through. Obsolete.

transitive. To wipe away; to wipe clean, cleanse. Also occasionally intransitive.

transitive. With from. To cleanse, to purify. Obsolete.

transitive. Christian Church. To cleanse, purify (a place) in a religious ceremony; to reconsecrate (a desecrated church or holy place). Now histo…

transitive. To clean, wash, or rinse (clothes); also in extended use. Also (occasionally): to cleanse, clear, or rid (a place, etc.) of something.

transitive. To cleanse, make clean (literal and figurative).

transitive. To make (something or someone) neat; = neaten, v.; †to clean (obsolete). Also with up.

figurative. To make clearer or brighter; to purge.

transitive. To cleanse, make pure. Now rare.

transitive. To wipe away; to wash off or out, cleanse; chiefly, in Medical use, to clear away foul or offensive matter from the body, from an…

transitive. To clean out (dirt, etc.).

transitive. To remove dirt from, chiefly figurative; also, to make dirty with scavenging.

transitive. To clean from dirt, remove dirt from.

transitive. To remove or clean away (a mark or stain). Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To free from dirt, filth, or impurity.

By-form of deterge, v.

jocosely. (See quots.) Obsolete.

to clean away, off: to remove dirt, defilement, or the like; also in extended use.

transitive. to clean down: to clean from top to bottom, or by sweeping down. to clean up: to clean by taking up dirt or dust; to bring (a thing) up…

transitive. = scavenge, v. Also intransitive for reflexive (figurative).

(un-, prefix2 affix 1d(b).)

To grind or polish with sand. Also in to sand and canvas (originally Nautical slang.), to clean thoroughly; also figurative.