absterge

transitive verb

ab·​sterge
abzˈtərj,
əb-,
-bˈst-
-ed/-ing/-s
archaic
: to cleanse especially by wiping : purge

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French absterger, from Latin abstergēre, from abs- (variant of ab- ab- entry 1) + tergēre to wipe off

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absterge was in 1526

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Dictionary Entries Near absterge

abstention

absterge

abstersion

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Absterge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absterge. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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