abdest

/ˈɑb.dɛst/

ⱭB · dɛst (2 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

The Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water for ritual prayers and for handling and reading the Qur'an.

Etymology

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish آبدست (modern Turkish abdest), from Classical Persian آبْدَسْت (ābdast), compound of آب (āb, “water”) and دست (dast, “hand”).