Purge
/pɜːrdʒ/noun
To remove or eliminate something undesirable or unwanted.
Did you know?In medieval times, 'purging' wasn't just about cleaning; it often involved rituals to expel evil spirits or bad luck, reflecting a deep connection between physical and spiritual cleansing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*perg-
“to cleanse or purify”
Latin
Latin
purgāre
“to clear away, cleanse”
Old French
Old French
purger
“to cleanse, expel”
Middle English
Middle English
purgen
“to cleanse, purge (as in a remedy)”
Modern English
English
purge
“to remove or eliminate, especially through cleansing or purification.”