from ek, "out," used intensively, and aleipho, "to wipe," signifies "to wash, or to smear completely." Hence, metaphorically, in the sense of removal, "to wipe away, wipe off, obliterate;" Act 3:19, of sins; Col 2:14, of writing; Rev 3:5, of a name in a book; Rev 7:17, Rev 21:4, of tears.