kəˈθɑːsɪs kəˈθɑːɹˌsɪs pɝdʒ pɜːdʒ ˌpjʊəɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən the act of clearing yourself (or another) from some stigma or charge a ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the performance of appropriate rites purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels