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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime. [ 1913 Webster ] When that he hath purged you from sin. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Ps. li. 7. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often followed by away. [ 1913 Webster ] Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. Ps. lxxix. 9. [ 1913 Webster ] We 'll join our cares to purge away Our country's crimes. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] |