Definition of "purge" []

• To free from impurities; purify. (verb-transitive)
• To remove (impurities and other elements) by or as if by cleansing. (verb-transitive)
• To rid of sin, guilt, or defilement. (verb-transitive)
• Law To clear (a person) of a charge or an imputation. Often used with respect to contempt of court. (verb-transitive)
• To rid (a nation or political party, for example) of people considered undesirable. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The left side of the street rallied against what they called a purge of Palestinians in the holy city, as its mayor prepared to give a speech nearby inside the University of Denver's concert hall."
• "For all we know, he was fired -- but for all Frum knows, unless he knows more than he's telling, the "purge" is but a Frumian figment."
• "The purge is on and there is no tolerance for moderate Republicans."