PURGE

To cleanse; to clear; to clear or exonerate from some charge or imputation of guilt, or from a contempt Purged of partial counsel. In Scotch practice. Cleared of having been partially advised. A term applied to the preliminary examination of a witness, in which he is sworn and examined whether he has received any bribe or promise of reward, or has been told what to say, or whether he bears malice or ill will to any of the parties. Bell. Purging a tort is like the ratification of a wrongful act by a person who has power of himself to lawfully do the act. But, unlike ratification, the purging of the tort may take place even after commencement of the action. 1 Brod. & B. 282. Purging contempt. Atoning for, or clearing one’s self from, contempt of court, (q. v.) It is generally done by apologising and paying fees, and is generally admitted after a moderate time in proportion to the magnitude of the offense.