purgation

American  

[pur-gey-shuhn] / pɜrˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of purging.

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purgation British  

/ pɜːˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of purging or state of being purged; purification

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Other Word Forms

• nonpurgation
  noun
• superpurgation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of purgation

1325–75; Middle English purgacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin pūrgātiōn- (stem of pūrgātiō ) a cleansing, purging, equivalent to pūrgāt ( us ) (past participle of pūrgāre to make clean or pure, derivative of pūrus pure ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Those whom Dante saw ascending from terrace to terrace of the Mount of Purgation were in all stages continuously and truly themselves.

From Modern Religious Cults and Movements by Atkins, Gaius Glenn

The ordeal of compulsory Purgation was abolished in Man as late as 1737.

From The Little Manx Nation - 1891 by Caine, Hall, Sir

In the land of Purgation the air is freer, and the holy mountain rises into the pure light of day. 

From Intentions by Wilde, Oscar

Now, when they first come out, they are as poor as ever any Creatures were; for you must know several die under this diabolical Purgation.

From A New Voyage to Carolina, containing the exact description and natural history of that country; together with the present state thereof; and a journal of a thousand miles, travel'd thro' several nations of Indians; giving a particular account of their customs, manners, etc. by Lawson, John

Your wisedome should shew it selfe more richer, to signifie this to his Doctor: for for me to put him to his Purgation, would perhaps plundge him into farre more Choller Guild.

From Hamlet by Shakespeare, William