A.cleansing from guilt or defilement, purifying, “Ζεύς” Hdt.1.44, cf. Arist.Mu.401a23, etc.; of Dionysus, “μολεῖν καθαρσίῳ ποδί” S.Ant.1144 (lyr.); of sacrifice, “αἷμα” A.Eu.449, Th.680; “πῦρ” E.HF937, IA1112, J.AJ20.8.5, al.; “φλόξ” E.Hel.869; “προχύται” Id.IA1471: c. gen., [Λοξίας] δωμάτων κ. A.Eu.63; “ἱερὰ κ. οἴκων” E. HF923; also κ. φόνου cleansing from . . , A.Eu.578.
II. as Subst.,
1. καθάρσιον (sc. ἱερόν), τό, purificatory offering, Aeschin. 1.23, cf. Phot.: pl., BMus.Inscr.481*.280: hence, expiation, “καθαρσίου ἐδέετο κυρῆσαι” Hdt.1.35, cf. Jul.Or.2.58d.