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purify [ˈpjʊərɪˌfaɪ]vb -fies, -fying, -fied1. to free (something) of extraneous, contaminating, or debasing matter 2. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) (Law) (tr) to free (a person, etc.) from sin or guilt 3. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) (tr) to make clean, as in a ritual, esp the churching of women after childbirth [from Old French purifier, from Late Latin pūrificāre to cleanse, from pūrus pure + facere to make] purification n purificatory [ˈpjʊərɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ] adj
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Verb | 1. | purify - remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation; "purify the water"chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions rectify, refine - reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities; "refine sugar" purge - rid of impurities; "purge the water"; "purge your mind" | | 2. | purify - make pure or free from sin or guilt; "he left the monastery purified"alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" spiritualise, spiritualize - purify from the corrupting influences of the world; "During his stay at the ashram he was spiritualized" lustrate - purify by means of a ritual; also used in post-Communist countries to refer to the political cleansing of former officials | | 3. | purify - become clean or pure or free of guilt and sin; "The hippies came to the ashram in order to purify"change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" |
purifyverb1. clean, filter, cleanse, refine, clarify, disinfect, fumigate, decontaminate, sanitize Plants can filter and purify the air in your office. clean contaminate, pollute, soil, foul, infect, corrupt, taint, defile, adulterate, befoul 2. absolve, cleanse, redeem, exonerate, sanctify, exculpate, shrive, lustrate They believe that bathing in the Ganges at certain holy places purifies the soul. absolve stain, taint, sully, vitiate
Translations purify [ˈpjʊərɪfaɪ] vt [+ water, air, substance] → purifier
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