I. ˈpərj verb
( purged ; purg·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
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
purge a manhole of gas
purge 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
intransitive verb
1. : to become purged
2. : to have or produce frequent evacuations
3. : to cause purgation
• purg·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1563
1. : something that purges ; especially : purgative
2.
a. : an act or instance of purging
b. : the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and especially as treacherous or disloyal