from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cleanse \Cleanse\ (kl[e^]nz), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cleansed}
(kl[e^]nzd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cleansing}.] [AS. cl[=ae]nsian,
fr. cl[=ae]ne clean. See {Clean}.]
To render clean; to free from fith, pollution, infection,
guilt, etc.; to clean.
[1913 Webster]
If we walk in the light . . . the blood of Jesus Christ
his son cleanseth us from all sin. --1 John i. 7.
[1913 Webster]
Can'st thou not minister to a mind diseased,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the suffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart? --Shak.
[1913 Webster]