[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/cleanse/)

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# cleanse

verb (cleanse, cleanses, cleansed, cleansing)

«cleanse» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To clean something thoroughly, especially skin or a wound: «Cleanse the cut with water.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#m1)
2. To make someone or something pure, free from sin or guilt (church, Bible): «Cleanse me from my sin.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#m2)
3. To remove harmful or unwanted things: «cleanse the air». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#m3)
4. (history) «Ethnic cleansing» means driving out or killing a whole group of people because of who they are — a terrible crime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#m4)

### In the lessons

In health and first aid, you cleanse a wound to stop germs. In adverts «cleanser» is soap for the face. In church and the Bible, Christians believe God can cleanse people from sin; Psalm 51 asks «cleanse me from my sin». In history lessons «ethnic cleansing» is a grave crime against humanity.

### Examples

- Cleanse the scratch with clean water before putting on a plaster. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x1)
- Mum uses a face cleanser every night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x2)
- «Wash me and cleanse me from my sin,» says the psalm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x3)
- The rain seemed to cleanse the dusty city. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x4)
- The nurse cleansed the wound carefully. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x5)
- Christians believe that God's forgiveness cleanses the heart. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x6)
- Then the hall was cleansed and the banquet recommenced. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/#x7)

### Note

Say «klenz»: the «ea» sounds like the «e» in «bed», not like «clean». Formal or medical; everyday word: clean, wash. Noun: cleanser.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means to make ritually clean again after being unclean, often by water or an offering. The prophets and Psalms also use it for making a person or the land free of sin.

**Interpretation.** A person might be cleansed by washing in a mikveh and waiting seven days. Tradition sees this as a chance to start again. David's prayer "cleanse me from my sin" is read as a plea for God's forgiveness and a new start.

### Examples

- 'Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. (Torah NUM.8.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x1)
- And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. (Torah LEV.14.49, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x2)
- But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. (Torah LEV.15.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x3)
- Thus shall they cleanse the land. (Prophets EZK.39.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x4)
- Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Writings PSA.51.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x5)
- And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days. (Prophets EZK.44.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/#x6)

### Note

Say «klenz»: the «ea» sounds like the «e» in «bed», not like «clean». Formal or medical; everyday word: clean, wash. Noun: cleanser.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «cleanse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cleanse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cleanse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cleanse.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «cleanse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/cleanse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cleanse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/cleanse.html) on Mova free.