Purge v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purged p. pr. & vb. n. Purging ]
1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous. “Till fire purge all things new.”
2. Med. To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.
3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.
4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.
5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.
When that he hath purged you from sin. --Chaucer.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. --Ps. li. 7.
6. Law To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.
7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often followed by away.
Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. --Ps. lxxix. 9.
We 'll join our cares to purge away
Our country's crimes. --Addison.