/ əˈbluːʃnz; NAmE / noun
[ pl. ] ( formal or humorous ) the act of washing yourself
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin ablutio(n-) , from abluere , from ab- away + luere wash. The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning purification by using liquids , hence purification of the body by washing (mid 16th cent.).