What is the meaning of cleansing?

noun

• The act of making something clean.
  • usage: "he gave his shoes a good cleaning"
  • synonyms: cleaning, cleanup

verb

• Clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing.
  • usage: "clean up before you see your grandparents"; "clean your fingernails before dinner"
  • synonyms: cleanse, clean
• Purge of an ideology, bad thoughts, or sins.
  • usage: "Purgatory is supposed to cleanse you from your sins"
  • synonyms: cleanse

adjective

• Cleansing the body by washing; especially ritual washing of e. G. Hands.
  • usage: "ablutionary rituals"
  • synonyms: ablutionary
• Acting like an antiseptic.
  • synonyms: purifying