lustration
Ceremonial political purging
Lustration is a ritual purification, especially in ancient religious contexts where ceremonies cleansed people or places of spiritual pollution.
In modern political usage, lustration refers to the process of vetting public officials for past collaboration with repressive regimes: After the fall of communism, Eastern European countries implemented lustration policies to remove former secret police from government positions.
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
disclosure · collaboration · informant · secret police · archives · rehabilitation · reconciliation · restitution
Ceremony removing spiritual contamination
- ceremonial cleansingRitual act of purification
- expiationRedress for offense
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
atonement · propitiation · purgation · consecration · sacrifice · libation · offering · incantation
Removal of contaminants
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
renewal · rebirth · karma · dharma · moksha · enlightenment · transcendence · meditation
Returning something to condition
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- revivalReturn after decline
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
fresh start · new beginning · transformation · reformation · reconciliation · healing · reintegration · rehabilitation
vetting
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
accountability · disclosure · collaboration · informant · secret police · archives · rehabilitation · reconciliation · restitution · McCarthyism
purification rite
Ceremony removing spiritual contamination
- ceremonial cleansingRitual act of purification
- expiationRedress for offense
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
catharsis · atonement · propitiation · purgation · consecration · sacrifice · libation · offering · incantation · priest
purification
Removal of contaminants
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
cleansing · renewal · rebirth · karma · dharma · moksha · enlightenment · transcendence · meditation · prayer
restoration
Returning something to condition
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- revivalReturn after decline
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
rebirth · fresh start · new beginning · transformation · reformation · reconciliation · healing · reintegration · rehabilitation · reconstruction
lustrationdefilement
Act of corrupting purity
contamination · pollution · profanation · desecration · corruption
lustrationimpunity
Freedom from consequences
whitewashing · cover-up · amnesty · complicity · entrenchment
illustrate, luster, lustrous, illustrious, lackluster, lustre, holy water, lusters, lustres