I. ˈpərj, ˈpə̄j, ˈpəij verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English purgen, from Old French purgier, from Latin purgare to cleanse, purify, purge, from Old Latin purigare, from purus clean, pure + -igare (from agere to lead, drive, do) — more at pure , act
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to clear (as oneself or another) from a charge or doubt : remove a stigma from the name of : demonstrate the innocence of : free from a charge by purgation
the committee heard his attempt to purge himself of a charge of heresy
(2) : to demonstrate (as oneself) to be free from guilt by submission to ordeal under a medieval code of legal procedure
b. : to make free of physical impurities : make clean by removing whatever is foreign, soiling, or superfluous
purge metal of dross
purging water by distillation
c. : to make morally or spiritually clean : free from moral or ceremonial contamination or defilement
2. : to remove by a process of cleansing : take off or out by or as if by washing
purge away dross from metal
let us purge our sins with prayer
3.
a. : to cause evacuation of or from (the bowels)
drugs that purge the bowels
or of or from the bowel of
purged himself with calomel
b. : to free (itself) of suspended matter usually by sedimentation : defecate — used of a liquid
c. : to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steampipe) of trapped air by bleeding
d. : to rid (as a state or party) by a purge : get rid of (as disloyal or suspect elements from a group or undesirable material in a publication) : eliminate
4. : to make submission or atonement in order to relieve oneself of (as a legal offence or sentence)
a restitution that purged the previous seizure
or in order to relieve (as oneself) from liability or penalty
purged himself of contempt of court
intransitive verb
1. : to become free of impurities, excess, or other unwanted matter (as by clearing, discharging, washing)
2.
a. : to have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines (as by means of a purgative)
b. : to take a purge or purgative
3. : to cause or bring about purgation, purification, or similar effects
Synonyms: see rid
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : an act or instance of purging : purgation
b. : a ridding (as of a nation or party) of elements or members regarded as treacherous, disloyal, or suspect
2. : something that purges ; especially : purgative