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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

cleanth en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈklɛnθ/

Etymology

From clean + -th (abstract nominal suffix), modelled after filth, health, wealth, etc.

Meanings

  1. (nonstandard, rare, uncountable) The condition or state of being clean; cleanliness
    • The Victorians didn't place the highest of priorities on cleanth, and Kingsley played no small part in proselytizing the cause of cleanliness as being part of the godliness business. 1983, Max Harris, The Unknown Great Australian and Other Psychobiographical Portraits:
    • "Cleanth and fresh air — that's what I believe in. Throw open the doors and the windows. Let's have some fresh air in here." 1924, Sherwood Anderson, A Story Teller's Story:
    • 'Purity' and 'pollution', the results of 'good' and 'bad' practice respectively, connote spiritual cleanliness and uncleanliness as well as literal 'cleanth' and filth. 2001, Susannah Hagan, Taking Shape: A New Contract Between Architecture and Nature: