Purge

See Contempt.

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. 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 foe, or clearing one's self from, contempt of court, (q. v.) It is generally done by apologizing and paying fees, and is generally admitted after a moderate time in proportion to the magnitude of the offense.

To cleanse; to clear; to clear from some imputation,

To clear one's self of a a charge of crime, formerly allowed in England. It was either canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof, used in the spiritual court, is, that the person suspected take his oath that he is clear of the facts objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with him to make oath that they believe he swears truly; or vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. These are all abolished. See Jacob; Wharton. Purging is still allowed, however, in proceedings for contempt; that is, when a man is charged with a contempt of court, he may purge himself of such contempt by swearing that in doing the act charged he did not intend to commit a contempt.