cleanse
UK: klenz | US: klenz
vt. to make thoroughly clean; purify
vt. to remove impurities or unwanted elements
vt. (figurative) to free from guilt or moral corruption
The word "cleanse" originates from Old English clǣnsian, derived from clǣne (clean) + the verbal suffix -sian. The root clean traces back to Proto-Germanic klainiz (pure, clear), while the suffix -se (modernized from -sian) denotes action or process. Over time, "cleanse" evolved from literal physical cleaning to include metaphorical purification (e.g., spiritual or moral cleansing). The morpheme clean preserves its core meaning, while -se marks it as a verb.
She used a special soap to cleanse her face before bed.
The ritual is meant to cleanse the soul of negative energy.
Detox teas claim to cleanse the body of toxins.
The city launched a campaign to cleanse the polluted river.
He sought therapy to cleanse his mind of past traumas.