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Expunged: meaning, definitions and examples

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expunged

 

[ ɪkˈspʌndʒd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

The term 'expunged' refers to the act of erasing or removing something completely, particularly in a legal context where a person's criminal record is cleared or sealed. This process can provide individuals a fresh start by eliminating past offenses from public records. In many jurisdictions, expungement is a legal remedy that allows one to petition the court to remove an arrest or conviction from their criminal record after certain conditions are met. The implications of expunged records can affect various aspects of life, including employment and housing opportunities.

Synonyms

deleted, erased, obliterated, removed, vacated

Examples of usage

  • His conviction was expunged from the records.
  • The lawyer filed for the expungement of her client's criminal history.
  • After years of good behavior, she had her previous charges expunged.

Translations

Translations of the word "expunged" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eliminado

🇮🇳 हटाया गया

🇩🇪 ausgelöscht

🇮🇩 dihapus

🇺🇦 видалений

🇵🇱 usunięty

🇯🇵 削除された

🇫🇷 expurgé

🇪🇸 expurgado

🇹🇷 silinmiş

🇰🇷 삭제된

🇸🇦 محذوف

🇨🇿 vymazaný

🇸🇰 vymazaný

🇨🇳 删除的

🇸🇮 izbrisan

🇮🇸 eytt

🇰🇿 жойылған

🇬🇪 წაშლილი

🇦🇿 silinmiş

🇲🇽 eliminado

Etymology

The word 'expunge' comes from the Latin term 'pungere', which means 'to prick or pierce'. The prefix 'ex-' signifies 'out' or 'away from', so 'expungere' essentially means to 'prick out' or 'remove'. The usage of 'expunge' in English dates back to the late 15th century, when it was employed in legal contexts to refer to the annulment or cancellation of records. Over the centuries, its usage has evolved, especially in the realm of criminal law, signifying the process by which legal records are cleansed, allowing individuals to move forward without the stigma of their past. The term reflects societal attitudes towards rehabilitation and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of second chances.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,245, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.