Meanings of mere washing in English

Objection 1: It seems that Baptism is not the mere washing.

This paper possesses a great advantage over any other, for the image can be fixed by mere washing.

Having manufactured the things to wash and sweep with, the mere washing and sweeping won't take long.)

So filthy and verminous was he, that it was necessary to scrape his body, which mere washing would not touch.

Imogen, too, has no trace of natural passion in her: she is a mere washing-list, so to speak, of sexless perfections.

For if there were nothing done but a mere washing with water, without any solemnity, some might easily think it to be an ordinary washing.

Then we do not know how to eat with our fingers, but use knives and forks and spoons that, after mere washing, are common property.

Therefore Baptism is not the mere washing; but rather is it "the regeneration, the seal, the safeguarding, the enlightenment," as Damascene says (De Fide Orth.

Whether Baptism Is the Mere Washing?

"What worship," says a great writer, "is there not in mere washing!

"It seems to me," said Psmith, regarding Sammy dispassionately through his eyeglass, "that it's not a case for mere washing.