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pure definition

pure (pyo̵or)

adjective purer pur′er, purest pur′·est

    1. free from any adulterant; unmixed pure maple syrup
    2. free from anything that taints, impairs, infects, etc.; clear pure water or air
  1. simple; mere pure luck
  2. utter; absolute; sheer pure lunacy
  3. free from defects; perfect; faultless
  4. free from sin or guilt; blameless
  5. virgin or chaste
  6. of unmixed stock; purebred
  7. restricted to the abstract or theoretical aspects pure physics
  8. Bible ceremonially undefiled
  9. Phonet. articulated without any change in quality and with virtually no movement of the vocal organs; monophthongal (e) is a pure vowel

Etymology: ME pur < OFr < L purus, pure < IE base *peu-, *pū-, to purify, cleanse > Sans punāti, (he) cleanses, L putare, to cleanse, OHG fowen, to sift

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
pure Synonyms

pure

modif.

  1. Not mixed

    unmixed, unadulterated, unalloyed, unmingled, simple, clear, genuine, undiluted, classic, real, true, fair, bright, unclouded, transparent, limpid, lucid, straight, pellucid, neat; see also clear 2, genuine 1, simple 1, transparent 1.

    Antonyms mixed*, mingled, blended.

  2. Clean

    immaculate, spotless, stainless, unspotted, germ-free, unstained, unadulterated, unblemished, untarnished, unsoiled, disinfected, sterilized, pasteurized, uncontaminated, sanitary, unpolluted, unsullied, purified, refined.

    Antonyms dirty*, sullied, contaminated.

  3. Chaste

    virgin, continent, celibate, chaste; see chaste 3.

  4. Innocent

    sinless, spotless, unsullied; see chaste 2, innocent 4.

  5. Theoretical

    unproved, tentative, philosophical; see theoretical.

  6. Absolute

    sheer, utter, complete; see absolute 1. See syn. study at chaste.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pure Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: Talk about keeping the race pure: at RIGA they first slept with them and then shot them to prevent them from talking.

Modifies a noun

  • mathematics: The content consists of a number of strands of pure mathematics with associated applications.

Used with adjective complement

  • breed: Thirlwall Castle also carries 1,500 Swaledale ewes, three quarters of which are crossed with the Bluefaced Leicester with the remainder bred pure.

Infinitive complement

  • look: His eyes are too pure to look on evil.

Modifying Another Word

  • ethnically: We are opposed to " ethnically pure " states.

Preposition: in

  • heart: The pure in heart see God in His creation.
pure usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

pure quotes

I'm as pure as the driven slush.

-Bankhead,Tallulah

Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

-Bible (Old Testament)

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs isthe kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessedarethepeacemakers: for theyshall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness'sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessedare ye, whenmenshall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

-Bible (NewTestament)

pure quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"pure." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/pure>

APA Style

pure. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/pure

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