A complete removal of contents or unwanted items; a thorough cleaning or emptying of a space, account, or supply.
From 'clean' + 'out,' with 'out' emphasizing complete removal. The compound noun emerged in American English in the 1800s as commerce and housekeeping required specific terms.
The Great Depression created a sudden need for 'cleanouts'—families had to empty barns, cellars, and attics, and people became expert at what could be salvaged and resold!
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