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Expurgation: meaning, definitions and examples

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expurgation

 

[ ɛkˈspɜːrɡeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

text editing

Expurgation refers to the process of removing or editing out parts of a text that are considered inappropriate, offensive, or objectionable. This practice is common in publishing, where materials may be adjusted to adhere to societal norms or legal standards. Expurgation can affect various forms of media, including books, films, and music. The aim is often to make the content suitable for a wider audience, especially in educational or public contexts.

Synonyms

censorship, cleansing, editing, redaction

Examples of usage

  • The expurgation of the book ensured it was appropriate for school use.
  • Some films undergo expurgation to remove explicit content before release.
  • The original manuscript was subject to expurgation by the publisher.
  • There were calls for expurgation of certain lyrics from the album.

Translations

Translations of the word "expurgation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expurgação

🇮🇳 सफाई

🇩🇪 Expurgation

🇮🇩 penghapusan

🇺🇦 виключення

🇵🇱 ekspurgacja

🇯🇵 除去

🇫🇷 expurgation

🇪🇸 expurgación

🇹🇷 temizleme

🇰🇷 삭제

🇸🇦 تنقية

🇨🇿 expurgace

🇸🇰 expurgácia

🇨🇳 清除

🇸🇮 ekspurgacija

🇮🇸 hreinsun

🇰🇿 тазарту

🇬🇪 გასუფთავება

🇦🇿 təmizləmə

🇲🇽 expurgación

Etymology

The term 'expurgation' originates from the Latin word 'expurgare', meaning 'to purify or cleanse'. 'Ex-' means 'out of' or 'from', and 'purgare' means 'to cleanse or purge'. This term initially emerged in the context of purifying or cleansing sacred texts and gradually expanded to apply to various forms of literature and media. In the 19th century, the practice of expurgation became more commonly associated with attempts to make literature more acceptable, particularly in educational settings. Throughout history, it has sparked debates about censorship and freedom of expression, as expurgation can involve the removal of content deemed controversial or unsuitable, leading to discussions about the balance between protecting audiences and preserving artistic integrity. Today, expurgation continues to play a role in how texts are presented in an increasingly diverse and sensitive world.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,930, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.