The act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities.

Roget 42: simpleness etc. adj.; purity, homogeneity.    elimination; sifting etc. v.; purification etc. (cleanness) 652.   

Dutch: zuivering

The process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.).

synonyms: refinement, refining.

Roget 658: improvement; amelioration, melioration; betterment; mend, amendment, emendation; mending etc. v.; advancement; advance etc. (progress) 282; ascent etc. 305; promotion, preferment; elevation etc. 307; increase etc. 35; cultivation, civilization; culture, march of intellect; menticulture^†; race-culture, eugenics.    reform, reformation; revision, radical reform; second thoughts, correction, limoe labor [Lat.], refinement, elaboration; purification etc. 652; oxidation; repair etc. (restoration) 660; recovery etc. 660.    revise, new edition.    reformer, radical.    ... show more

Dutch: raffineren
Polish: rafinacja

A ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the performance of appropriate rites.

synonym: purgation.

Roget 652: cleanness, cleanliness etc. adj.; purity; cleaning etc. v.; purification, defecation etc. v.; purgation, lustration^†; detersion^†, abstersion^†; epuration^†, mundation^†; ablution, lavation^†, colature^†; disinfection etc. v.; drainage, sewerage.    lavatory, laundry, washhouse^†; washerwoman, laundress, dhobi^†, laundryman, washerman^†; scavenger, dustman^†, sweep; white wings brush [U.S.]; broom, besom^†, mop, rake, shovel, sieve, riddle, screen, filter; blotter.    napkin, cloth, maukin^†, malkin^†, handkerchief, towel, sudary^†; doyley^†, doily, duster, sponge, mop, swab.    cover, drugget^†.    wash, lotion, detergent, cathartic, purgative; purifier etc. v.; disinfectant; aperient^†; benzene, benzine benzol, benolin^†; bleaching powder, chloride of lime, dentifrice, deobstruent^†, laxative.    ... show more

The act of purging of sin or guilt; moral or spiritual cleansing.