Sentence:  Sweeping was like the <WSD>pedilavium</WSD>, a purification of the floor of the house and the feet of the believer, contaminated by the insidious flow of a dissipating humanity. In the <WSD>pedilavium</WSD>, the feet were washed in the 'bloody Gore' from Christ's Body, and dried by his 'besweated Hair' ("FCD" ["Fulneck Congregation Diaries"] 6 August 1755), in an act of purification before the taking of the Lord's Supper. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The rite of foot-washing based on the act carried out by Jesus Christ on his disciples at the Last Supper. Depending on the church or denomination, it may be carried out at baptism, during Holy Communion, or as part of a Maundy Thursday service; maundy.