Dictionary entry

Purge

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Purge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Purged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Purging (?).] [F. purger, L. purgare; purus pure + agere to make, to do. See Pure, and Agent.] 1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous. “Till fire purge all things new.” Milton.

2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.

3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.

4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.

5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.

When that he hath purged you from sin. Chaucer.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Ps. li. 7.

6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.

7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; — often followed by away.

Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. Ps. lxxix. 9.

We 'll join our cares to purge away

Our country's crimes. Addison.