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)
- to rid (a nation, political party, etc.) of individuals held to be disloyal or undesirable
- to kill or otherwise get rid of (such individuals)
- Law to free from a charge or imputation of guilt
- Med.
- to empty (the bowels)
- 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