The removal of superfluities; pruning or trimming of trees; threshing of grain; pressing of grapes; refining or cleansing of metal; also, ?separation of the dregs from wine [quot.: 1432]; also, a husk, pod, or other vegetable offscouring [quot.: a1398, 2nd]; ~ hok, a pruning hook.

Atonement, expiation, spiritual or moral purification; also, ?chastisement [quot.: a1450]; dai of ~, Yom Kippur; ~ of sinne (trespas), expiation of sin, cleansing from the stain of sin; wateres of ~, water used for ceremonial purification.

(a) The expulsion of evil or excess humors; ?also, purification of humors; urine [quot.: a1398]; ~ of the hed (mannes bodi), purging of evil humors from the head (the body); (b) a purgative, laxative; (c) ~ medicine, a purgative; a laxative, a diuretic, or an emetic; ~ place, a part of the body from which morbid or excessive humors are naturally expelled, esp. under the armpits, at the base of the skull, and in the groin.