/ɛksˈpərɡeɪt/ iks-pur-gayt

Definitions

1. verb

to remove or eliminate objectionable or undesirable parts from something, especially a book or other written work, while leaving the rest intact.

“The publisher chose to expurgate the novel’s more graphic passages to make it suitable for younger readers.”

2. verb

to purify or cleanse something by removing impurities or unwanted elements.

“The environmentalists sought to expurgate the polluted river by removing the industrial waste.”

3. noun

the process of removing or eliminating objectionable or undesirable parts from something.

“The editor’s expurgation of the manuscript led to a more family-friendly version of the story.”