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.