purgation
Riddance of impurities
Purgation is the act of purging—clearing out impurities or unwanted matter.
The word appears in medical contexts for emptying the bowels, in religious contexts for cleansing sin, and in legal contexts for clearing oneself of accusation: ritual purgation, purgation of contempt.
The term is formal and somewhat archaic, largely replaced by purging in everyday use.
Removal of contaminants
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- expiationRedress for offense
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
confession · exorcism · ablution · baptism · sanctification · redemption · cleansing · ritual
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
- denazificationEliminating fascist ideology institutionally
- expulsionForced permanent removal
- removalAct of taking away
cleansing · witch hunt · blacklist · show trial · inquisition · tribunal · dismissal · banishment
Promotes intestinal evacuation
- enemaRectal fluid injection
- catharticEmotionally releasing, relieving
- emeticSubstance causing vomiting
- emesisStomach contents expelled orally
diuresis · flushing · bloodletting · evacuation · colonic · physic · aperient · bowel
Removing harmful substances internally
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- chelationChemical metal-ion capture
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
abstinence · rehabilitation · sobriety · antidote · antitoxin · depuration · restoration · decontamination
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- restorationReturning something to condition
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- revivalReturn after decline
transformation · fresh start · reformation · metamorphosis · renaissance · reinvention · resurrection · reawakening
Purification through emotional expression
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- emotional releaseDischarge of pent-up feelings
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
drama · pathos · sublimation · poetics · tragic hero · theatrical · denouement · dramatic irony
purification
Removal of contaminants
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- expiationRedress for offense
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
absolution · confession · exorcism · ablution · baptism · sanctification · redemption · cleansing · ritual · lustration
vetting
Evaluating suitability through investigation
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
- denazificationEliminating fascist ideology institutionally
- expulsionForced permanent removal
removal · cleansing · witch hunt · blacklist · show trial · inquisition · tribunal · dismissal · banishment · exile
laxative
Promotes intestinal evacuation
- enemaRectal fluid injection
- catharticEmotionally releasing, relieving
- emeticSubstance causing vomiting
emesis · diuresis · flushing · bloodletting · evacuation · colonic · physic · aperient · bowel · elimination
detoxification
Removing harmful substances internally
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- chelationChemical metal-ion capture
fasting · abstinence · rehabilitation · sobriety · antidote · antitoxin · depuration · restoration · decontamination · juice cleanse
rebirth
Spiritual or physical regeneration
- restorationReturning something to condition
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
revival · transformation · fresh start · reformation · metamorphosis · renaissance · reinvention · resurrection · reawakening · overhaul
catharsis
Purification through emotional expression
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- emotional releaseDischarge of pent-up feelings
climax · drama · pathos · sublimation · poetics · tragic hero · theatrical · denouement · dramatic irony · hamartia
- Divine ComedyInferno, Dante, Paradiso, Beatrice, Virgil
- asceticismabstinence, celibacy, ascetic, austerities, chastity
- DanteDivine Comedy, Inferno, Dante, Paradiso, Beatrice
- mysticismmystic, gnosis, divine union, divine spark, mystical
- old medicinebloodletting, leeches, leech therapy, leeching, cupping
- spiritual statesenlightenment, devotion, ecstasy, salvation, fervor
purgationcontamination
Introduction of impurities
pollution · corruption · adulteration · defilement · tainting
purgationretention
Continued holding or possession
accumulation · absorption · ingestion · intake · hoarding
purgationcorruption
Dishonest abuse of power
defilement · degradation · depravation · desecration · profanation
- drastic purgativeStrong bowel-emptying medicine