purify

American  

[pyoor-uh-fahy] / ˈpyʊər əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

purified, purifying

1. to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates.

   to purify metals.

2. to free from foreign, extraneous, or objectionable elements.

   to purify a language.

3. to free from guilt or evil.

4. to clear or purge (usually followed by of orfrom ).

5. to make clean for ceremonial or ritual use.

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verb (used without object)

purified, purifying

1. to become pure.

purify British  

/ ˈpjʊərɪˌfaɪ, ˈpjʊərɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ /

verb

1. to free (something) of extraneous, contaminating, or debasing matter

2. (tr) to free (a person, etc) from sin or guilt

3. (tr) to make clean, as in a ritual, esp the churching of women after childbirth

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Other Word Forms

• nonpurifying adjective
• purification noun
• purificatory adjective
• purifier noun
• repurify verb
• self-purifying adjective
• unpurified adjective
• unpurifying adjective

Etymology

Origin of purify

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English purifien, from Middle French purifier, from Latin pūrificāre; pure, -ify

Example Sentences

The form of genistein used in the study was more purified and concentrated than supplements commonly sold in stores.

From Science Daily

Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a new way to "purify" photons, a development that could improve both the performance and security of light based quantum technologies.

From Science Daily

Sartre argued that for the antisemite, “there is no question of building a new society, but only of purifying the one that exists.”

From Salon

The companies purifying water look like better bets than the high-tech customers who use it.

From MarketWatch

This patent-pending technology purifies the isotope by removing it from the bismuth target and then loads it onto a shipping column for incorporation into targeted alpha therapy drugs.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• rarefy