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Dictionary Language resources

ablution

Pronunciation: /əˈbluːʃ(ə)n/

Definition of ablution

noun

(usually ablutions) formal or humorous

an act of washing oneself:the women performed their ablutions
a ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers.
(the ablutions) British (in army slang) a building or room containing washing facilities and toilets.

Derivatives

ablutionary

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin ablutio(n-), from abluere, from ab- 'away' + luere 'wash'. The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning 'purification by using liquids', hence 'purification of the body by washing' (mid 16th century)