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;" Acts 3:19 , of sins; Colossians 2:14 , of writing; Revelation 3:5 , of a name in a book; Revelation 7:17; 21:4 , of tears.