Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Purification \Pu`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [F. purification, L.
   purificatio. See {Purify}.]
   1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating
      and removing from anything that which is impure or
      noxious, or heterogeneous or foreign to it; as, the
      purification of liquors, or of metals.

   2. The act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by
      removing any pollution or defilement.

            When the days of her purification according to the
            law of Moses were accomplished.       --Luke ii. 22.

   3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the
      extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations.

Source : WordNet®

purification
     n 1: the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities
     2: the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or
        sugar etc.) [syn: {refining}, {refinement}]
     3: a ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the
        performance of appropriate rites [syn: {purgation}]
     4: the act of purging of sin or guilt; moral or spiritual
        cleansing; "purification through repentance"