Expurgatory

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the removal of offensive or objectionable passages from a book, document or other text before publication
2. Describing an edit that strips indecent, libelous or otherwise unacceptable content out of written material
3. Intended to cleanse a text by deleting parts judged unfit, such as obscene or politically sensitive wording

Etymology: The word "expurgatory" is built from the Latin "expurgare," meaning "to cleanse thoroughly" or "to purge out," from "ex-" ("out") and "purgare" ("to cleanse," from "purus," "pure"). The same root gives English "purge" and "purify." Its core sense was physical cleansing, and the notion of cleaning out something undesirable gradually moved from the body and the land to the written page. The main lineage is clear: "expurgare" passed into English as the verb "expurgate," and "expurgatory" is the adjective formed from it with the suffix "-ory," meaning serving to do something. Its first recorded use in English is not something this account can date with confidence, so the history rests on the Latin roots and the English suffix. The word's power lies in its literal meaning of cleansing out, which is why it suits editing practice: an expurgatory edition removes passages judged offensive, while leaving the rest intact. Its root sense of purity explains why the idea of "clean-up" attached so easily to censorship.

Synonyms: bowdlerizing, censoring

Antonyms: uncensored, unexpurgated