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 witnes~ 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 oontempt. Atoning for, or clearing one's self from, contempt of court, (q. 11.) It is generally done by apologizing and paying fees, and is generally admitted after a moderate time in pro-. portion to the magnitude of the offense. ' [s. 973]