purgation
|pur-ga-tion|
🇺🇸
/pɜrˈɡeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/pɜːˈɡeɪʃən/
act of cleansing
Etymology
'purgation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'purgatio', where the root 'purg-' (from 'purgare') meant 'to cleanse'.
'purgation' changed from Old French 'purgacion' and Middle English 'purgacioun' and eventually became the modern English word 'purgation'.
Initially it meant 'the act of cleansing', and over time it retained that core sense while extending to medical (bowel evacuation), legal (clearing of blame), and political (removal of undesirable elements) senses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of purging; cleansing or purification, especially of moral, spiritual, or ritual impurities.
The ceremony was intended as a purgation of the community's sins.
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Noun 2
the medical or physical act of emptying the bowels; catharsis produced by a purge or laxative.
The physician prescribed a purgation to relieve the patient's severe constipation.
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Noun 3
the act of removing undesirable elements or clearing someone of blame (e.g., legal exoneration or political removal of opponents).
Following the scandal, the organization went through a purgation of corrupt officials.
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Last updated: 2025/12/09 16:44