Clean vs Cleanse

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Anonymous  #402211  Thu, 09 Aug 07 06:08 AM

Hi,

Sorry it might b a rookie Question but what is the exact differnce between clean and cleanse ? Is there any difference or these words can be used interchangeably ? If there is no difference then are there any informal guidelines for using these words ?

I presume there must be some difference as i have never seen anyone say "I cleansed my car yesterday" Smile [:)]

Cheers !

Timmy

  
nona the brit  #402284  Thu, 09 Aug 07 09:19 AM

That's a very good question!

I think they mean the same thing but we use one word in some contexts and the other word in other contexts.  Cleansed is not used as much as clean, at least, that's my impression.

  
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Octoberman  #402332  Thu, 09 Aug 07 11:22 AM
so, how about purge, which comes to my mind as well as alternative for clean?
  
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nona the brit  #402367  Thu, 09 Aug 07 01:00 PM

No, purge doesn't have the same meaning as clean.

Purge from MW dictionary:

1 a : to clear of guilt b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement
2 a : to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) b (1) : to make free of something unwanted <purge a manhole of gas> <purge yourself of fear> (2) : to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding c (1) : to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2) : to get rid of <the leaders had been purged>

  
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