Definition
To remove offensive or objectionable content from a book, document, or other written work.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
Censor, cleanse, purify, bowdlerize, sanitize, edit
Antonyms
Pollute, contaminate, taint, defile
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | expurgator, expurgation, expurgations, expurgators |
| Verb | expurgated, expurgate, expurgates, expurgating |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The school librarian was instructed to expurgate all books containing explicit content.
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The author was asked to expurgate certain portions of his book before it could be published.
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The government has the power to expurgate any material it deems inappropriate from public records.
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The movie studio decided to expurgate certain scenes from the film to avoid controversy.
Usage
The word “expurgate” comes from the Latin word “expurgare,” meaning “to clean out.” It is used to describe the process of removing or censoring parts of a book, document, or other written work that are considered offensive or objectionable. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to comply with censorship laws, to protect the public from harmful or sensitive material, or to avoid offending certain groups or individuals.
Expurgation can take many forms, from simply removing a few words or passages to completely rewriting or editing a work. The decision to expurgate a work is often controversial, as it can be seen as a violation of free speech and artistic expression. However, proponents argue that it is necessary to protect the public from harmful or offensive content, especially in cases where children or vulnerable individuals may be exposed to it.
There are many variations of the word “expurgate,” including “expurgation,” “expurgatory,” and “expurgator.” The prefix “ex-” means “out” or “from,” while “purgare” means “to purify” or “to cleanse.” The root of the word is “purgare,” which can be found in other English words such as “purge,” “purify,” and “purgative.”
In summary, “expurgate” is a verb that describes the process of removing or censoring objectionable content from a written work. It is often controversial, as it can be seen as a violation of free speech, but is sometimes necessary to protect the public from harmful or offensive material. The word has several variations and is derived from Latin roots meaning “to clean out” or “to purify.”