κάθαρσις

English (LSJ)

εως, ἡ, Elean κόθαρσις Schwyzer 412,

   A cleansing from guilt or defilement, purification, Hdt.1.35, Pl.Cra.405a, etc.; κάθαρσις . . τὸ χωρίζειν ὅτι μάλιστα ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος τὴν ψυχήν Id.Phd.67c, cf. Sph.227c (pl.); cleansing of the universe by fire, Zeno and Chrysipp.Stoic.2.184; cleansing of food by or before cooking, Diocl. Fr.138.    2 clarification, φυσικῶν προβλημάτων Epicur.Ep.2p.36U.; καθάρσεως δεῖται needs explanation, Phld.Lib.p.22O.    II Medic., clearing off of morbid humours, etc., evacuation, whether natural or by the use of medicines (cf. Gal.17(2).358), Hp.Aph. 5.36, cf. Acut. (Sp.) 31, etc.; ἰατρικὴ κ. Pl.Lg.628d; καθάρσεις, the menses in women, Hp.Aph.5.60; καθάρσεις καταμηνίων Arist. HA572b29; so κάθαρσις alone, Id.GA775b5; κ. μετὰ τόκον Hp.Aër. 7; ἡ ἐν τοῖς τόκοις κ. Arist.HA574b4; κ. αἵματος αὐτομάτη μοι . . συνέβη D.54.12.    b τραγῳδία . . δι' ἐλέου καὶ φόβου περαίνουσα τὴν τῶν τοιούτων παθημάτων κ. Arist.Po.1449b28, cf. Pol.1341b38.    III pruning of trees, Thphr.CP3.7.12.    IV winnowing of grain, in pl., PTeb.92.10 (ii B.C.); κ. πυροῦ PRyl.71.9 (i B.C.); τοῦ καρποῦ Ph.2.57 (sg.).    V clearing of land, PSI6.577.13 (iii B.C.), PPetr.3p.122 (iii B.C.), etc.