ablution

plural ablutions

1. The act of washing something.
   1. countableuncountablechemistryOriginally, 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.First known use First attested from around 1350 to 1470.
   2. countableuncountableThe act of washing or cleansing the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.First known use mid 16ᵗʰ century.

      Let water be brought to perform my ablutions, and let the pious Fakreddin be called to offer up his prayers with mine.

      1786, William Beckford, Vathek; an Arabian Tale

   3. countablehumorousliteraryplural normallyuncountableWashing oneself; bathing, cleaning oneself up.First known use mid 18ᵗʰ century.

      There are now indications that it has caused some Americans to become more spartan when it comes to ablutions.

      2021 May 6, Maria Cramer, “See Fewer People. Take Fewer Showers.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

      2 more examples

      He followed the steps of Bella, who soon conducted him to his chamber, and left him to those ablutions which a long ride along a sandy road had rendered particularly necessary.

      1835, William Gilmore Simms, The Partisan, Harper, Chapter II, page 25

      She treats him not as a doddering old fool but as a man hampered in his movements by injury. Patiently, without baby-talk, she helps him through his ablutions.

      2005, J. M. Coetzee, “Four”, in Slow Man, New York: Viking, →ISBN, page 28

   4. countableuncountableChristianityThe rinsing of the priest's hand and the sacred vessel following the Communion with, depending on rite, water or a mix of it and wine, which may then be drunk by the priest.First known use 17th c.
   5. countableuncountableIslamwudu, ritual washing of the limbs and head performed immediately before prayer or holding the Quran
2. countableuncountableThe liquid used in the cleansing or ablution.First known use early 18ᵗʰ century.

   Cast the ablutions in the main

   1715–1720, Homer, “(please specify the book of the Iliad or chapter quoted from)”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC

3. countableuncountableEastern OrthodoxyThe ritual consumption by the deacon or priest of leftover sacred wine of host after the Communion.
4. UKcountablepluralplural onlyuncountablegovernmentThe location or building where the showers and basins are located.First known use mid 20ᵗʰ century.