v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Purified p. pr. & vb. n. Purifying ] [ F. purifier, L. purificare; purus pure + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Pure, and -fy. ] 1. To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture, or imperfection; to free from extraneous or noxious matter; as, to purify liquors or metals; to purify the blood; to purify the air. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence, in figurative uses: (a) To free from guilt or moral defilement; as, to purify the heart. [ 1913 Webster ] And fit them so Purified to receive him pure. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) To free from ceremonial or legal defilement. [ 1913 Webster ] And Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, . . . and purified the altar. Lev. viii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ] Purify both yourselves and your captives. Num. xxxi. 19. [ 1913 Webster ] (c) To free from improprieties or barbarisms; as, to purify a language. Sprat. [ 1913 Webster ] |