purify

To cleanse, or rid of impurities.

Verb

  1. To cleanse, or rid of impurities.
    • The modern arts deviate from the standards set forth by the divine—art should be used to purify one’s heart and improve one’s morality. - 2020 May 4, “Young Practitioners Should Carefully Read “How the Specter of...
  2. To free from guilt or sin.
  3. To become pure.

Origin

From Middle English purifien, purifyen, from Old French purifier, purifiier, from Latin pūrificō, pūrificāre, from pūrus (“pure; clean”).

Forms

purifies purifying purified

Synonyms

lustrate luster

Antonyms

defile

Related

puritan

Derived

copurify immunopurify purifiable purifyingly repurify unpurifying