ˈklenz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English clensen, from Old English clǣnsian to purify, from clǣne pure
transitive verb
1.
a. : to release, deliver, or absolve from sin or guilt : rid of any moral blemish
a group of sinners reveal their wickedness and are cleansed and redeemed — A.M.Sullivan
seeking for that which shall cleanse me — George Meredith
also : free , absolve
our hearts cleansed of all evil
b. : to rid one of (moral or spiritual taint) as if by washing — sometimes used with away
mysterious means of purification by which they proposed to cleanse away the defilements of the soul — W.R.Inge
c. : to free or purge of what is spurious, degrading, or vitiating
a city cleansed of graft, gangsterism, and prostitution
also : to eradicate as spurious, degrading, or vitiating — used with from
all feeling of pity had been cleansed from him
d. : to free or rid of any undesirable feature or condition
a smile cleansing his face of all severities — R.P.Warren
especially : to purge (a political party or other organization) of disruptive or dissident elements
found it necessary to cleanse party ranks
2.
a. : to wash, brush, or scrub with water or a detergent solution
a floor covering that is easily cleansed
also : to wipe clean (as with oil or cosmetic cream)
b. : to wipe free of surface accumulation (as with absorbent waste or tissues)
c. : to free of extraneous or undesired matter ; especially : to rid (air) of foul or noxious gases
d. archaic : to cause to recover from disease or injury to health : heal
raise the dead, cleanse lepers — Mt 10:8(Revised Standard Version)
and immediately his leprosy was cleansed — Mt 8:3(Revised Standard Version)
e. Britain : to sweep and clean (streets) of refuse and snow : scavenge
f. : to wash or flush out or dislodge
cleanse nematodes from the intestines of sheep
cleanse dirt from a wound
3. : to make ceremonially clean : free from pollution or purify in a religious sense
cleansed through baptism
cleansed from the effects of a ritual oath
intransitive verb
: to undergo a cleansing process : become clean
utensils that cleanse easily