ablution etymology

Etymology:

• From Late Latin ablutiō, from Latin abluō, from ab- ("away") + luō ("to wash").

Meaning:

• The act or an instance of washing.
• (specifically) A ritual washing of the body or part of the body, especially for religious purification.

Origin:

The word "ablution" has its origins in ancient Roman religious practices, where washing with water was used for purification rituals. The Romans borrowed the word from the Etruscan language, where it was written as "avlutu". From Etruscan, it passed into Latin as "abluō," meaning "to wash away."

The religious significance of ablution is rooted in the belief that physical cleanliness is necessary for spiritual purity. In many cultures, ablution is performed before prayer or entering sacred spaces. It is also used as a symbol of repentance, renewal, and purification.

The practice of ablution is found in various religions, including:

• Hinduism: Bathing in the sacred Ganga River is considered a holy act of ablution.
• Judaism: Ritual handwashing is required before certain religious observances.
• Christianity: Baptism is a form of ablution that symbolizes purification and the washing away of sins.
• Islam: Wudu and ghusl are forms of ablution performed before prayer and other religious rituals.

Today, the term "ablution" is also used in a more general sense to refer to any type of washing, especially a partial washing of the body.

ablution relate terms

• ablution

  Etymology From Late Latin ablutiō from Latin abluō from ab away luō to wa

• alluvium

  Etymology Latin alluvius a washing ashore from alluere to wash upon From the roo

• deluge

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• dilute

  Etymology The word dilute comes from the Latin word diluere which means to wash aw

• elution

  Etymology Latin elūtiō elūtiōnis a washing out Meaning The process of ex

• lather

  Etymology Middle English lathren Old English liðre Proto Germanic _liðra_ Meani

• latrine

  Etymology The word latrine ultimately derives from the Latin word lavatrina meaning

• launder

  Etymology Middle English laundren from Anglo French lavander from Late Latin lavanda

• lautitious

  Etymology Latin lautus meaning washed clean pure Proto Indo European root lew

• lavage

  Etymology Old French lavage Latin lavatio meaning act of washing Proto Indo Europea

• lavation

  Etymology and Origin of Lavation The word lavation originates from the Latin word la

• lavatory

  Etymology Latin lavatorium from lavare to wash Meaning A room or fixture in a

• lave

  Etymology The word lave comes from the Latin word lavere which means to wash This

• lavish

  Etymology The word lavish comes from the Old French word lavasse which means water

• lotion

• baptism

  Etymology From Old English bæþsm or beþesm which in turn comes from Late Latin

• wash

  Etymology Old English wæscan ultimately derived from the Proto Indo European root wes

• shaw

  Etymology Middle English from Old English scaga sceaga probably of Celtic origin re

• king

  Etymology Old English cyning pronounced kuh ning Proto Germanic kuningaz Proto

• harangue

  Etymology French harangue Late Latin haranga arenga Possibly from a pre Indo Europea

• stride

  Etymology Middle English stride from Old English stridan to stride Proto Germanic st

• arsenal

  Etymology French arsenal Latin arsēnālis Greek ἀρσενικός arsenikos Me

• fleece

  Etymology The word fleece comes from the Old English word fleece which is derived fr

• genius

  Etymology The word genius is derived from the Latin word genius which originally re

• convenience

  Etymology The word convenience is derived from late Middle English conveniens aroun