Hypertext Webster Gateway: "purification"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Purification
the process by which a person unclean, according to the
Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the
festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these
privileges.
The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of
Atonement (q.v.).
But in the details of daily life there were special causes of
cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by
ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the
case of the leper (Lev. 13, 14), and of the house defiled by
leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt. 8:2-4). Uncleanness from
touching a dead body (Num. 19:11; Hos. 9:4; Hag. 2:13; Matt.
23:27; Luke 11:44). The case of the high priest and of the
Nazarite (Lev. 21:1-4, 10, 11; Num. 6:6, 7; Ezek. 44:25).
Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes
(Lev. 14:8, 9); by washing the hands (Deut. 21:6; Matt. 27:24);
washing the hands and feet (Ex. 30:18-21; Heb. 6:2, "baptisms",
R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water
(Ex. 24:5-8; Heb. 9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found
in Ps. 26:6; 51:7; Ezek. 36:25; Heb. 10:22.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Purification \Pu`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [F. purification, L.
purificatio. See {Purify}.]
1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating
and removing from anything that which is impure or
noxious, or heterogeneous or foreign to it; as, the
purification of liquors, or of metals.
2. The act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by
removing any pollution or defilement.
When the days of her purification according to the
law of Moses were accomplished. --Luke ii. 22.
3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the
extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
purification
n 1: cleaning by getting rid of impurities
2: the act of purging of sin or guilt; "purification through
repentance"
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