Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

absterse

/æbˈstɝs/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: ab-sterse
IPA: /æbˈstɝs/

10

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To absterge; to cleanse; to purge away.

Archaic; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"[…] nor will we affirme that Iron ingeſted, receiveth in the ſtomack of the Oeſtridge no alteration whatſoever; but if any ſuch there be, we ſuſpect this effect rather from ſome way of corroſion, then any of digeſtion; not any liquid reduction or tendance to chilification by the power of naturall heate, but rather ſome attrition from an acide and vitriolous humidity in the ſtomack, which may abſterſe, and ſhave the ſcorious parts thereof; […]"

Etymology

From Middle English absterse, from Latin abstersus, perfect passive participle of abstergeō (“wipe off, wipe away”); formed from abs- + tergeō (“wipe”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: absterse, abstersus

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /æbˈstɝs/
British English: /əbˈstɜː(ɹ)s/

Usage

Inflected Forms

absterses (present, singular) abstersing (participle, present) abstersed (participle, past) abstersed (past)

Derived Forms

abstersion abstersive abstersiveness abstersory

Rhymes With

worse universe nurse reverse diverse verse curse purse public purse converse traverse disperse

Questions

How do you pronounce absterse?: The recorded pronunciation is /æbˈstɝs/.
What does absterse mean?: To absterge; to cleanse; to purge away.
Where does absterse come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce absterse

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “absterse”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/æbˈstɝs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “absterse”.
Repeat and practice — Say “absterse” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.