v.tr.
1. usu. formal. make clean.
2 (often foll. by of) purify from sin or guilt.
3 archaic cure (a leper etc.).
Phrases and idioms:
cleansing cream cream for removing unwanted matter from the face, hands, etc. cleansing department Brit. a local service of refuse collection etc.
Derivatives:
cleanser n.
Etymology: OE cl{aelig}nsian (see CLEAN)