Expurgate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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expurgate
ex-pur-gate
Definition
editing text
To expurgate means to remove parts of a text that are considered inappropriate or offensive. This action is often taken to make a book, article, or other written material suitable for a specific audience. Expurgation might involve omitting certain words, phrases, or sections that do not align with societal norms or values. Often, this process is applied to literature, educational materials, or media content.
Synonyms
censor, cleanse, remove, sanitize.
Examples of usage
- The publisher decided to expurgate the controversial chapters from the novel.
- Certain films have been expurgated for family-friendly screenings.
- The school district required teachers to expurgate any mention of violence from the curriculum.
Translations
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Quick facts about “expurgate”
Expurgate is a 3-syllable verb (ex-pur-gate). On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #41,043 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'expurgate'
The word 'expurgate' originates from the Latin term 'expurgare', which means 'to purge out'. It combines the prefix 'ex-', meaning 'out', and 'purgare', meaning 'to cleanse' or 'to purify'. The use of 'expurgate' can be traced back to the early 17th century, as it began to appear in English texts related to literary criticism and censorship. Over time, the term has evolved to broadly encompass not just literature but also any media content that may require editing to fit a particular audience or ethical standards. In modern usage, it often conveys a sense of cleaning or sanitizing material, reflecting changing cultural sensitivities and norms.