Word of the Day - 02/19/26
expurgate
/'ɛkspər,ɡeɪt/(v.): edit by omitting or modifying parts considered objectionable or unsuitable
The publisher decided to expurgate certain sensitive passages from the novel before its release to avoid controversy.
Word Origin
The word 'expurgate' originates from the Latin verb 'expurgare'. This word is formed from the prefix 'ex-', meaning 'out' or 'thoroughly', and 'purgare', meaning 'to cleanse'. The root 'purgare' itself comes from 'purus', meaning 'pure'.
Words with similar origins include 'purge', which comes directly from 'purgare', and 'purgatory', also derived from 'purgare'. 'Pure' and 'purify' also share the same Latin root 'purus', meaning pure.