purgātĭo, ōnis, f. [purgo], a cleansing, purging.
I Lit.: cloacarum, Trajan. ap. Plin. Ep. 10, 41 fin. : menstrua, the monthly courses of women , Plin. 32, 10, 46, § 131; so, feminarum, id. 20, 9, 34, § 86; 20, 14, 53, § 148; 24, 13, 72, § 116; 30, 14, 44, § 129; Sen. Q. N. 3, 16: alvi, a purging , Cic. N. D. 3, 22, 57; also simply purgatio, id. Fam. 16, 10, 1.—
II Trop.
A A religious purgation or purification from guilt , an expiation , Plin. 15, 30, 40, § 135; Vulg. Heb. 1, 3.—
B An apology , justification , Cic. Inv. 1, 11, 15; 2, 31, 94; Ter. Heaut. 625.