purge

Purge is defined as to cleanse or clear of unwanted people or things.

(verb)

An example of purge is getting rid of stuff in a closet which is no longer needed.

Purge means the act of cleansing or clearing.

(noun)

An example of purge is all unused email addresses removed from a contact list.

See purge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb purged, purging

to cleanse or rid of impurities, foreign matter, or undesirable elements
to cleanse of guilt, sin, or ceremonial defilement
to remove by cleansing; clear (away, off, or out)
1. to rid (a nation, political party, etc.) of individuals held to be disloyal or undesirable
2. to kill or otherwise get rid of (such individuals)
Law to free from a charge or imputation of guilt
Med.
1. to empty (the bowels)
2. to cause (a person) to empty the bowels

Origin: ME purgen < OFr purgier < L purgare, to cleanse < purus, clean (see pure) + agere, to do: see act

intransitive verb

noun

the act of purging
that which purges; esp., a purgative, or cathartic
the process of ridding a nation, political party, etc. of individuals held to be disloyal or undesirable

Related Forms:

See purge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb purged purged, purg·ing, purg·es

verb, transitive

a. To free from impurities; purify.
b. To remove (impurities and other elements) by or as if by cleansing.
To rid of sin, guilt, or defilement.
Law To clear (a person) of a charge or an imputation. Often used with respect to contempt of court.
a. To rid (a nation or political party, for example) of people considered undesirable.
b. To get rid of (people considered undesirable). See Synonyms at eliminate.
Medicine
a. To cause evacuation of (the bowels).
b. To induce evacuation of the bowels in (an individual).