absterse

Meanings

verbabsterse (third-person singular simple present absterses, present participle abstersing, simple past and past participle abstersed)

present singular third person absterses · participle present abstersing · participle past abstersed · past abstersed

archaictransitiveTo absterge; to cleanse; to purge away.First known use First attested around 1350 to 1470.
1 more example
[…] nor will we affirme that Iron ingeſted, receiveth in the ſtomack of the Oeſtridge no alteration whatſoever; but if any ſuch there be, we ſuſpect this effect rather from ſome way of corroſion, then any of digeſtion; not any liquid reduction or tendance to chilification by the power of naturall heate, but rather ſome attrition from an acide and vitriolous humidity in the ſtomack, which may abſterſe, and ſhave the ſcorious parts thereof; […]
1646, Thomas Browne, “Of the Oestridge”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], London: […] T[homas] H[arper] for Edward Dod, […], →OCLC, 3rd book, page 164

Origin

Latinabstersus
Middle Englishabsterse
Englishabsterse

From Middle English absterse, from Latin abstersus, perfect passive participle of abstergeō (“wipe off, wipe away”); formed from abs- + tergeō (“wipe”).

More words from Middle English, Latin

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