from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Purge \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.
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2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic
medicine, or in a similar manner.
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3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.
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4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam
pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.
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5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial
defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.
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When that he hath purged you from sin. --Chaucer.
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Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. --Ps.
li. 7.
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6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime
or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.
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7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often
followed by away.
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Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. --Ps.
lxxix. 9.
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We 'll join our cares to purge away
Our country's crimes. --Addison.
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