abluir

A rare, formal verb meaning to wash or cleanse ritually — related to abluciones (ablutions), the ceremonial washing performed in religious rites such as the Catholic Mass or Islamic wudu. Essentially never used outside liturgical or academic writing.

• El sacerdote abluye sus manos antes de la consagración. — The priest ritually washes his hands before the consecration.
• Los fieles se abluyen antes de entrar al templo. — The faithful perform ritual ablutions before entering the temple.
• El rito exige abluir los objetos sagrados. — The rite requires ritually cleansing the sacred objects.

This word belongs strictly to religious/liturgical registers — for everyday washing, lavar or lavarse is what a learner needs.

Often confused with lavar.