purges
|pur-ges|
🇺🇸
/ˈpɝdʒɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɜːdʒɪz/
(purge)
cleansing
Etymology
'purge' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'purgare', where the root 'purg-' meant 'to cleanse'.
'purge' changed from Old French 'purger' and Middle English 'purgen' and eventually became the modern English word 'purge'.
Initially, it meant 'to cleanse' (physically remove impurities), but over time it evolved to include 'to rid an organization of undesirables' and the medical sense 'to cause evacuation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'purge': organized removals or expulsions of people considered undesirable (often for political reasons).
The purges of the 1930s targeted intellectuals and military officers.
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Noun 2
plural of 'purge': acts of cleansing or removing impurities, unwanted items, or corrupt elements.
The IT department performed routine purges of old backup files.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'purge': forcibly removes someone from an organization or position (often for political reasons).
The regime purges dissenters to maintain control.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of 'purge': clears out or removes unwanted elements (e.g., toxins, data, impurities).
The software purges temporary files every week.
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Last updated: 2025/12/19 22:03