Abstersive

Definitions

  • Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • a Abstersive Cleansing; purging.
    • n Abstersive Something cleansing. "The strong abstersive of some heroic magistrate."
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • abstersive Cleansing; having the quality of removing foulness. See detersive.
    • n abstersive That which effects abstersion; that which purifies.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • Abstersive having the quality of cleansing: purgative
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Cf. F. abstersif,. See Absterge
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
L. abstergēre, -tersum, to wipe away.

Usage

In literature:

The best of all these is the shaggy hat, for it makes a very neat abstersion of the fecal matter.
"Gargantua and Pantagruel, Complete." by Francois Rabelais
The best of all these is the shaggy hat, for it makes a very neat abstersion of the fecal matter.
"Gargantua and Pantagruel, Book I." by Francois Rabelais
Baptism, immersion in water, abstersion, purification by water, is of the highest antiquity.
"A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 2 (of 10)" by François-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
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