DictionaryRoot: purus
Latin

purus

clean or unmixed

Forms

  • purus
  • pur- — Used before other endings.

Origin

An inherited Latin word whose exact deeper reconstruction is uncertain.

Note

Freedom from mixture can become a standard of quality or moral cleanliness.

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A simple water-filtration setup visibly separates dirt from water: muddy water passes through filter paper in a glass funnel, sediment stays in the paper, and clear drops collect in a clean glass vessel below.
noun

purification

pyoor-ih-fih-KAY-shuhn/ˌpjʊrɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

The removal of impurities or contaminants.

Etymology

The pieces express the process of ‘making pure.’ English first used the noun for ritual or spiritual cleansing, then broadened it to freeing something from dirt or other impurities.

Full entry

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