Purification
/ˌpjʊr.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/noun
The act or process of making something pure, clean, or free from impurities.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin purificare, a verb used for cleansing in both practical and religious contexts, so “purification” has always carried a hint of sacred ritual.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂-
“to purify, cleanse”
Latin
Latin
pūrus
“clean, pure”
Latin
Latin
purificāre
“to make clean or pure”
Old French
Old French
purificacion
“purification, ceremonial cleansing”
Middle English
English
purificacion
“the act of making clean or spiritually pure”
Modern English
English
purification
“the act or process of making something pure or clean”