VocabDictionary

expurgated

/ˈɛk.spɜːr.ɡeɪ.tɪd/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Having objectionable, harmful, or offensive parts removed from a book, movie, or other piece of work before publication or release.

Example Sentences:
  • The library kept the expurgated version of the novel on the shelves, while the original remained locked away.
  • Historians prefer to study unedited manuscripts rather than expurgated editions.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “expurgated” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “expurgated”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'expurgatus', the past participle of 'expurgare' (to cleanse or purge), combining 'ex-' (out, thoroughly) + 'purgare' (to purge, clean, from 'purus', meaning pure). Originally used in a general sense of cleansing or purifying, its meaning shifted by the 17th century to specifically refer to the removal of objectionable or offensive passages from a text.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'ex-' (out) plus 'purge' (to clean out) — expurgated text has had the bad parts purged right out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About “expurgated

1. What is the meaning of “expurgated” in English?

In English, expurgated (adjective) is defined as: “Having objectionable, harmful, or offensive parts removed from a book, movie, or other piece of work before publication or release.”.

2. How do you use “expurgated” in a sentence?

The library kept the expurgated version of the novel on the shelves, while the original remained locked away.

3. What are English synonyms of “expurgated”?

Common synonyms include:censored,bowdlerized,redacted,edited,purified

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “expurgated”?

Derived from the Latin 'expurgatus', the past participle of 'expurgare' (to cleanse or purge), combining 'ex-' (out, thoroughly) + 'purgare' (to purge, clean, from 'purus', meaning pure). Originally used in a general sense of cleansing or purifying, its meaning shifted by the 17th century to specifically refer to the removal of objectionable or offensive passages from a text.