Purge

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)dÊ’

Origin

From Middle English purgen, from Old French purger, from Latin purgare ("make pure, cleanse"), from purus ("clean, pure") + agere ("to make, do").

Full definition of purge

Noun

1. An act of purging
2. (medicine) An evacuation of the bowels or a vomiting.
3. A cleansing of pipes.
4. A forcible removal of people from political activity.Stalin liked to ensure that his purges were not reversible.
5. That which purges; especially, a medicine that evacuates the intestines; a cathartic.

Related terms

• purgatory

Verb

1. (transitive) to clean thoroughly; to cleanse; to rid of impurities
2. (transitive, religion) to free from sin, guilt, or the burden or responsibility of misdeeds
3. (transitive) To remove by cleansing; to wash away.
• Bible, Psalms lxxix. 9Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
• AddisonWe'll join our cares to purge away
  Our country's crimes.
4. (transitive, medicine) to void (the bowels); to vomit.
5. (transitive, medicine) To operate on (somebody) as a cathartic, or in a similar manner.
6. (transitive, legal) to clear of a charge, suspicion, or imputation
7. (transitive) To clarify; to clear the dregs from (liquor).
8. (intransitive) To become pure, as by clarification.
9. (intransitive) To have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic.