expurgatory

American  

[ik-spur-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪkˈspɜr gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. serving to expurgate.

2. of or relating to expurgation.

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Etymology

Origin of expurgatory

First recorded in 1615–25; expurgate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

It is difficult to speak of the whole system of expurgatory oaths for past conduct without a shudder at the suffering and oppression they were not only capable of effecting but often did effect.

From Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in California with Other Sketches; To Which Is Added the Story of His Attempted Assassination by a Former Associate on the Supreme Bench of the State by Field, Stephen Johnson

The last general expurgatory index, published in 1747, is still remembered.

From The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII. by Llorente, Juan Antonio

After his death, his Apology for John Fero was inserted in the expurgatory index.

From The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII. by Llorente, Juan Antonio

The whole subject of expurgatory oaths was discussed, and all that could be said on either side was fully and elaborately presented.

From Personal Reminiscences of Early Days in California with Other Sketches; To Which Is Added the Story of His Attempted Assassination by a Former Associate on the Supreme Bench of the State by Field, Stephen Johnson

They, too, have been lately subjected to an expurgatory scrutiny, to drive out from them everything savoring of what they call the crime of moderantism, of which offence, however, few were guilty.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 04 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund