What is the Latin word for cleansing?

The usual Latin words for “cleansing” are pūrgātiō, lūstrātiō, expiātiō; also februum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“cleansing” in Latin

pūrgātiōpurification, cleansing, purging lūstrātiōlustration (purification by sacrifice)expiātiōsatisfaction, atonement, expiation, purification februummeans of purification, expiatory offerings

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

cleansing

purgatio; lustratio; expiatio. A means of cleansing, februum (for an offering): purgamen alicujus rei (for expiation). A cleansing medicine, Vid: ARERIENT.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for cleansing?: The usual Latin words for “cleansing” are pūrgātiō, lūstrātiō, expiātiō; also februum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.