expurgator


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ex·pur·gate

 (ĕk′spər-gāt′)
tr.v. ex·pur·gat·ed, ex·pur·gat·ing, ex·pur·gates
To remove erroneous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable material from (a book, for example) before publication.

[Latin expūrgāre, expūrgāt-, to purify : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + pūrgāre, to cleanse; see peuə- in Indo-European roots.]

ex′pur·ga′tion n.
ex′pur·ga′tor n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.expurgator - a person who edits a text by removing obscene or offensive words or passages; "Thomas Bowdler was a famous expurgator"
editor, editor in chief - a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
The Rhyddings was once an isolated house noted for the resident of Thomas Bowdler, the expurgator of Shakespeare who produced versions of the bard's work without the parts deemed unsuitable for family.
1825: Thomas Bowdler, expurgator of the ``naughty bits'' in the works of Shakespeare, died.
1825 Thomas Bowdler, expurgator of the "naughty bits" in the works of Shakespeare, died.