First Known Use: 1678
Dictionary
expurgate
verb ex·pur·gate \ˈek-spər-ˌgāt\
: to change (a written work) by removing parts that might offend people
ex·pur·gat·edex·pur·gat·ing
Full Definition of EXPURGATE
transitive verb
: to cleanse of something morally harmful, offensive, or erroneous; especially : to expunge objectionable parts from before publication or presentation <an expurgated edition of the letters>
— ex·pur·ga·tion \ˌek-spər-ˈgā-shən\ noun
— ex·pur·ga·tor \ˈek-spər-ˌgā-tər\ noun
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Origin of EXPURGATE
Latin expurgatus, past participle of expurgare, from ex- + purgare to purge
Related to EXPURGATE
- Synonyms
- bowdlerize, clean (up), censor, launder, red-pencil
Rhymes with EXPURGATE
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