Pu"ri*fy (-fī), 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.
2. Hence, in figurative uses:
(a) To free from guilt or moral defilement; as, to
purify the heart.
And fit them so
Purified to receive him pure.
Milton.
(b) To free from ceremonial or legal
defilement.
And Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of
the altar, . . . and purified the altar.
Lev.
viii. 15.
Purify both yourselves and your
captives.
Num. xxxi. 19.
(c) To free from improprieties or barbarisms;
as, to purify a language. Sprat.
Pu"ri*fy, v. i. To grow or become
pure or clear.
