Word: expurgate (verb)

Associations

The word "expurgate" means to remove parts of a text, speech, or any content considered unsuitable or offensive. It is often used when editing books, movies, or other media to make them more acceptable for certain audiences.

• Example 1: The editor decided to expurgate the violent scenes from the movie to make it suitable for children.
• Example 2: Some classic novels were expurgated in school editions to remove offensive language.
• Example 3: The speech was expurgated to avoid controversial topics before being published.

Synonym: "censor" is a common synonym. The difference is that "censor" often refers to official or authoritative removal or suppression, while "expurgate" usually refers to careful editing or removal of specific parts.

Substitution

You can use words like "edit," "censor," or "redact" depending on the context:

• Edit: more general, can be for clarity or style, not just removing offensive parts.
• Censor: implies authority or control, often official.
• Redact: often used for removing sensitive information, especially in documents.

Deconstruction

• Prefix: "ex-" means "out" or "away."
• Root: "purg" comes from Latin "purgare," meaning "to cleanse" or "to purify."
• Suffix: "-ate" is a verb ending that means "to cause" or "to make."

So, "expurgate" literally means "to cleanse out" or "to remove impurities."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when a book, movie, or song was expurgated or censored? How did that change your experience?
• Why do you think people choose to expurgate content? Is it always a good idea?
• How would you feel if your favorite story was expurgated? Would it still be enjoyable?