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purge
purge / pərj/ • v. [tr.] rid (someone) of an unwanted feeling, memory, or condition, typically giving a sense of cathartic release: Bob had helped purge Martha of the terrible guilt that had haunted her. ∎ remove (an unwanted feeling, memory, or condition) in such a way. ∎ remove (a group of people considered undesirable) from an organization or place, typically in an abrupt or violent manner: he purged all but 26 of the central committee members. ∎ remove someone from (an organization or place) in such a way: an opportunity to purge the party of unsatisfactory members. ∎ Law atone for or wipe out (contempt of court). ∎ physically remove (something) completely: a cold air blower purges residual solvents from the body. ∎ [intr.] [often as n.] (purging) evacuate one's bowels, esp. as a result of taking a laxative. • n. an abrupt or violent removal of a group of people from an organization or place: a purge of the ruling class is absolutely necessary the Stalinist purges. ∎ dated a laxative. DERIVATIVES: purg·er n. |
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Cite this article
"purge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "purge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-purge.html "purge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-purge.html |
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purge
purge
A. make pure, cleanse, free from guilt XIV; B. empty (the bowels) XV. — (O)F. purger :— L. purgāre purify, for pūrigāre, f. pūrus PURE. So purgation XIV. — (O)F. or L. purgative XV. — (O)F. or late L. purgatory condition or place of spiritual purging. XIII. — AN. purgatorie, (O)F. purgatoire — medL. purgātōrium, sb. use of n. of late L. purgātōrius cleansing; hence purgatorial XV. |
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T. F. HOAD. "purge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "purge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-purge.html T. F. HOAD. "purge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-purge.html |
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Purge
PURGETo exonerate someone; to clear someone of guilt, charges, or accusations. Purging contempt is to clear an individual of contempt of court. This is generally accomplished by a formal apology to the court and the payment of a fine. |
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Cite this article
"Purge." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Purge." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703604.html "Purge." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703604.html |
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purge
purge •converge, dirge, diverge, emerge, merge, purge, scourge, serge, splurge, spurge, submerge, surge, urge, verge
•demiurge • upsurge • dramaturge
•thaumaturge
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Cite this article
"purge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "purge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-purge.html "purge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-purge.html |
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