Purge Meaning
/pɜːd͡ʒ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse.
verbTo clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse; to clear of (something unwanted).
Sentence Examples
One student says the purge is still going on in China and terror is widespread.
Sami wanted to purge the evil spirit our of Layla's body.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager decided to ____ all outdated files from the computer system to free up space.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new leader moved quickly to ____ the party of members who had been loyal to his predecessor.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English purgen, from Old French purgier, from Latin pūrgō (“to make pure, to cleanse”), from pūrus (“clean, pure”) + agō (“to make, to do”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 79:9:
"We'll join our cares to purge away / Our country’s crimes."
— 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 29:
""What did they die of?” I asked. / "Fevers. The doctor came and bled them and purged them, but they still died." / "He bled and purged babies?" / "They were two and three. He said it would break the fever. And it did. But they … they died anyway.""
— 1979, Octavia Butler, Kindred:
"Late triumphs of Russian science are scaring the very dogwater out of large elements in our society, and we both fear more "purging" instead of more effort at catching up."
— 1957 October 20, Roy Bedichek, “to John Henry Faulk”, in Letters of Roy Bedichek, Austin, T.X.: University of Texas Press, published 1985, →ISBN, page 507:
"he prescribes a Purge or a Vomit"
— 1722, John Arbuthnot, Mr. Maitland’s account of inoculating the small-pox:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager decided to ____ all outdated files from the computer system to free up space.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new leader moved quickly to ____ the party of members who had been loyal to his predecessor.