purge
Pronunciation: (pûrj), [key] — v., n. purged, purg•ing,
—v.t. - to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify.
- to rid, clear, or free (usually fol. by of or from): to purge a political party of disloyal members.
- to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.
- to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.
- to remove by cleansing or purifying (often fol. by away, off, or out).
- to clear or empty (the bowels) by causing evacuation.
- to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).
- to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.
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- to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.
- to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.
—v.i. - to become cleansed or purified.
- to undergo or cause purging of the bowels.
—n. - the act or process of purging.
- the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.
- something that purges, as a purgative medicine or dose.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.