Question

Ablution

Accepted Answer

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryab·lu·tion\ə-ˈblü-shən, a-\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin ablution-, ablutio, from Latin abluere to wash away, from ab- + lavere to wash — more at lye DATE 1533 1. a. the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite) b. plural : the act or action of bathing2. plural, British : a building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base• ab·lu·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē\ adjective English Etymologyablution "ritual washing," late 14c., from L. ablutionem (nom. ablutio), noun of action from ablutus, pp. of abluere "to wash off," from ab- "off" + luere "wash," related to lavere (see lave). Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedab·lu·tion\əˈblüshən, aˈb-\ noun(-s)Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French ablution, from Latin ablution-, ablutio, from ablutus (past participle of abluere to wash away, from ab- ab- (I) + -luere, from lavere to wash) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at lye1. a. obsolete : the cleansing of bodies by distillation b. : the washing of one's body or part of it as a religious rite < historically, the practice of ablutions is common to many people — W.B.Duckat > c. : the ceremonial washing of the sacred vessels (as the chalice) and of the priest's thumb and forefinger after communion d. : the washing of one's body or part of it < he was finished with his ablutions now — Douglas Woolf >2. : the portion of wine or of water used in the ceremonial washing of the sacred vessels after communion3. ablutions plural, Britain : the building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base• ab·lu·tion·ary \-əˌnerē\ adjective

The From Washing Middle Wash Noun Late Latin