cleanse
UK[klɛnz]US[klɛnz]
v
to make something completely clean
v
to remove something bad or immoral from a person, place, or thing
Morpheme Breakdown
clean
se
clean
free from dirt
se
verb-forming suffix
Etymology
the word 'cleanse' originates from old english 'clǣnsian', which itself is derived from the adjective 'clǣne' meaning 'pure, clean, clear'. the addition of the productive verb-forming suffix '-sian' transformed the adjective into a verb, creating a term that meant 'to make clean or pure'. this etymological construction is transparent, directly linking the state of cleanliness with the action of achieving it. over time, the word has retained its core meaning while also acquiring figurative uses, such as cleansing one's sins or cleansing an organization of corruption, extending the concept of purification beyond the physical realm.
Analysis
Structure: clean (free from dirt) + se (verb-forming suffix)
clean (old english 'clǣne', meaning pure, free from dirt); se (old english '-sian', a verb-forming suffix)
Examples
use this cream to cleanse your face thoroughly.
the ceremony was meant to cleanse the community of its past troubles.
many people choose to cleanse their bodies with a special diet at the start of the year.