1. (

• cleaning ,
• cleansing ,
• cleanup

) the act of making something clean; "he gave his shoes a good cleaning" ;

1. (

• cleanse ,
• clean

) clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing; "clean up before you see your grandparents"; "clean your fingernails before dinner" ;

2. (

• cleanse ,

) purge of an ideology, bad thoughts, or sins; "Purgatory is supposed to cleanse you from your sins" ;

1. (

• ablutionary ,
• cleansing

) cleansing the body by washing; especially ritual washing of e.g. hands; "ablutionary rituals" ;

2. (

• cleansing ,
• purifying

) acting like an antiseptic ;