ablution
noun
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The Religious History of Ablution
Ablution derives via Middle French and Middle English from the Latin verb abluere, meaning "to wash away," formed from the prefix ab- ("away, off") and lavere ("to wash"). Early uses of the word occurred in contexts of alchemy and chemistry. The first known use of ablution to refer to washing as a religious rite occurs in Thomas More's The Apologye Made by Hym (1533). Many religions include some kind of washing of the body in their rituals, usually as a form of purification or dedication. The use of the term to refer to the action of washing one's body without any religious significance did not take hold in English until the mid-18th century. In British English, ablutions can also refer to a building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base.
Examples of ablution in a Sentence
Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
The destruction also allowed for the archaeological discovery of four rooms, likely used for ablutions.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Feb. 2025
There are high-end solutions for shaving, finding new fragrances, and even making your daily ablutions as simple and effective as possible.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024
For our staff members, a soothing series of ablutions is a much more rewarding way to start and end the day than, say, doom-scrolling your social media feeds.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Ablution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ablution. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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ablution
noun
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