Dictionary-Definition.com :: Purging definition

Definition of 'purging'

adjective

Serving to purge or rid of sin; "purgatorial rites" [syn: purgatorial, purging, purifying]

noun

An act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements [syn: purge, purging]

noun

The act of clearing yourself (or another) from some stigma or charge [syn: purge, purging, purgation]

From: GCIDE

Purge \Purge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purged; p. pr. & vb. n. Purging.] [F. purger, L. purgare; purus pure + agere to make, to do. See Pure, and Agent.]
1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous. "Till fire purge all things new." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner. [1913 Webster]
3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors. [1913 Webster]
4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape. [1913 Webster]
5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime. [1913 Webster]
When that he hath purged you from sin. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. --Ps. li. 7. [1913 Webster]
6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal. [1913 Webster]
7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often followed by away. [1913 Webster]
Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. --Ps. lxxix. 9. [1913 Webster]
We 'll join our cares to purge away Our country's crimes. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Purging \Pur"ging\, a. That purges; cleansing. [1913 Webster]
Purging flax (Bot.), an annual European plant of the genus Linum (Linum catharticum); dwarf wild flax; -- so called from its use as a cathartic medicine. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Purging \Pur"ging\, n. (Med.) The act of cleansing; excessive evacuations; especially, diarrhea. [1913 Webster]