abstersion (abstershon)

[ Abstersion is plainly a scouring off or incision of the more viscous humours, and making the humours more fluid; and cutting between them and the part. Bacon, Nat. Hist., § 42. [= F. ab abstersive (ab-stèr's iv), a. and n. stersif , abstersivus , abstergere , pp. abster- sus: see absterge .] I. a. Cleansing; having the quality of removing foulne . See detersive . The seats with purple clothe in order due, And let the abstersive sponge the board renew. Pope , Ody ey, xx. 189. A tablet stood of that abstersive tree Where Æthiop's swarthy bird did build her nest. Sir J. Denham , Che . II. n. That which effects abstersion; that which purifies. Abstersives are fuller's earth, soap, linseed-oil, and oxgall. Petty , in Sprat's Hist. Royal Soc., p. 295.