[purge] vb purged ; purg.ing [ME, fr. MF purgier, fr. L purigare, purgare to purify, purge, fr. purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do)--more at act] vt (14c) 1 a: to clear of guilt b: to free from moral or ceremonial defilement
2. a: to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) b (1): to make free of something unwanted "~ a manhole of gas" "~ yourself of fear" (2): to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding c (1): to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2): to get rid of "the leaders had been purged" "~ money-losing operations" ~ vi 1: to become purged
2: to have or produce frequent evacuations
3: to cause purgation -- purg.er n
[2]purge n (1563) 1: something that purges; esp: purgative
2. a: an act or instance of purging b: the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and esp. as treacherous or disloyal