əˈblüshən, aˈb- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French ablution, from Latin ablution-, ablutio, from ablutus (past participle of abluere to wash away, from ab- ab- (I) + -luere, from lavere to wash) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at lye
1.
a. obsolete : the cleansing of bodies by distillation
b. : the washing of one's body or part of it as a religious rite
historically, the practice of ablutions is common to many people — W.B.Duckat
c. : the ceremonial washing of the sacred vessels (as the chalice) and of the priest's thumb and forefinger after communion
d. : the washing of one's body or part of it
he was finished with his ablutions now — Douglas Woolf
2. : the portion of wine or of water used in the ceremonial washing of the sacred vessels after communion
3. ablutions plural , Britain : the building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base
• ab·lu·tion·ary -əˌnerē adjective