v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. (often foll. by of, from) make physically or spiritually clean.
2 remove by a cleansing process.
3 rid (an organization, party, etc.) of persons regarded as undesirable.
4 a empty (the bowels). b empty the bowels of.
5 Law atone for or wipe out (an offence, esp. contempt of court).
--n.
1. the act or an instance of purging.
2 a purgative.
Derivatives:
purger n.
Etymology: ME f. OF purg(i)er f. L purgare purify f. purus pure