purify

[ pyoo r-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈpyʊər əˌfaɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR purify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), pu·ri·fied, pu·ri·fy·ing.

to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates: to purify metals.
to free from foreign, extraneous, or objectionable elements: to purify a language.
to free from guilt or evil.
to clear or purge (usually followed by of or from).
to make clean for ceremonial or ritual use.

verb (used without object), pu·ri·fied, pu·ri·fy·ing.

to become pure.

Origin of purify

1250–1300; Middle English purifien < Middle French purifier < Latin pūrificāre. See pure, -ify

OTHER WORDS FROM purify

Words nearby purify

purification of the virgin mary, purificator, purified protein derivative of tuberculin, purifier, puriform, purify, purim, purine, puriri, purism, puritan

Words related to purify

absolve, atone, wash, lustrate, fumigate, expiate, purge, decontaminate, sanitize, exculpate, aerate, oxygenate, clarify, redeem, shrive, cleanse, exonerate, chasten, sublimate, deodorize

Example sentences from the Web for purify

British Dictionary definitions for purify

purify
/ (ˈpjʊərɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to free (something) of extraneous, contaminating, or debasing matter
(tr) to free (a person, etc) from sin or guilt
(tr) to make clean, as in a ritual, esp the churching of women after childbirth

Derived forms of purify

purification, noun purificatory (ˈpjʊərɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ), adjective

Word Origin for purify

C14: from Old French purifier, from Late Latin pūrificāre to cleanse, from pūrus pure + facere to make