depurate

The scientist uses a filter to depurate the water sample.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To purify or cleanse: "depurate" means to remove impurities or contaminants from something, especially a substance or a system.
   • To make pure: In a broader sense, it refers to the act of clarifying or refining something to achieve a state of cleanliness or purity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The water treatment plant uses a filter to depurate the river water. (To remove impurities and make the water clean.)
  • The chemist depurated the solution to isolate the active ingredient. (To purify the mixture by removing unwanted elements.)

Advanced Usage

• "to depurate the blood": a historical medical term meaning to cleanse the blood of toxins or impurities.

  • In ancient medicine, doctors believed that certain herbs could depurate the blood. (To rid the blood of harmful substances.)

• "to depurate a language": a metaphorical use meaning to remove foreign or corrupt elements from a language.

  • Some linguists attempt to depurate the language by eliminating loanwords. (To purify the language by removing borrowed terms.)

Variants and Related Words

• Depuration (n): the process of becoming free from impurities; purification.

  • The depuration of the wastewater is essential for environmental safety. (The act of cleansing the water.)

• Depurative (adj): having the quality of purifying or cleansing.

  • The depurative properties of this plant are well documented. (The ability to clean or purify.)

Synonyms

• Purify: to remove contaminants or make clean.
• Cleanse: to clean thoroughly, especially of impurities or pollution.
• Refine: to remove unwanted elements to improve quality.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms