καθαρμός

A. cleansing, purification, from guilt, νίψαι καθαρμῷ τήνδε τὴν στέγην S. OT 1228: hence, purificatory offering, atonement, expiation, καθαρμὸν τῆς χώρης ποιέεσθαί τινα Hdt. 7.197: freq. in pl., μύσος ἐλαύνειν καθαρμοῖς A. Ch. 968 (lyr., dub. l.), cf. Th. 738, Eu. 277, 283, Berl.Sitzb. 1927.156 (Cyrene): sg., S. OT 99; θοῦ νῦν καθαρμὸν δαιμόνων make an offering to avert their wrath, Id. OC 466; καθαρμὸν θύειν E. IT 1332; λύσεις τε καὶ καθαρμοὶ ἀδικημάτων Pl. R. 364e; ὁ περὶ τὴν διάνοιαν κ. Id. Sph. 227c; κ. ποιεῖσθαι τῆς δυνάμεως, Lat. lustrare exercitum, Plb. 21.41.9, Plu. Caes. 43; of the Roman lustrum, D.H. 4.22; κ. ὅπλων, σάλπιγγος,= Lat. armilustrium, tubilustrium, Lyd. Mens. 4.34,60.

2. purificatory rite of initiation into mysteries, Pl. Phd. 69c, Phdr. 244e; ἀνιστὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ καθαρμοῦ D. 18.259, cf. Plu. 2.47a: hence in pl., as title of poem by Empedocles, Ath. 14.620d; by Epimenides, Suid. s.h.v.

3. purgation by ordeal, PMag.Lond. 46.180,196.

II. purging, evacuation, discharge, Arist. HA 587b1, Plu. 2.134d.

2. metaph., purge, clearance of unhealthy animals, Pl. Lg. 735b.

III. = κάθαρμα 1.2, Plu. 2.518b.