a. and sb. [ad. L. lūstrāl-is, f. lūstr-um LUSTRUM.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to the Roman LUSTRUM or purificatory sacrifice; hence, pertaining to, of the nature of, or used in rites of purification; purificatory.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, III. vii. (S.T.S.), 270. Þe capitoll was purgit be þe Sacrifice lustrale.
1677. Gilpin, Demonol. (1867), 194. He [Julian] caused their meats and drinks to be sprinkled or mixed with the lustral water.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. Notes xv. p. lxviii. The assistants were sprinkled with lustral water.
1783. T. Wilson, Archæol. Dict. Lustral day, or dies lustricus amongst the Romans, was the day on which lustrations were performed for a child, and the name given.
1851. Layard, Pop. Acc. Discov. Nineveh, x. 251. Copper lustral spoons.
1853. Merivale, Rom. Rep., iv. (1867), 133. The assassin … coolly washed his hands in the lustral waters of a neighbouring temple.
1862. Rawlinson, Anc. Mon., I. vi. 480. A lustral Ewer.
1874. H. R. Reynolds, John Bapt., v. § 2. 278. The Hindu worship has always consisted largely in lustral rites.
2. Occurring every five years; quinquennial.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xviii. II. 71. As this general tax upon industry was collected every fourth year, it was stiled the Lustral Contribution.
1880. Muirhead, Ulpian, i. § 8. The lustral census in Rome.
† B. sb. A lustrum or period of five years. Obs.
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann. (1658), 807. When to this time five lustrals I had seen.
