expunge
UK: ɪkˈspʌndʒ | US: ɪkˈspʌndʒ
vt. to erase or remove completely (especially from a record or memory)
vt. to eliminate or destroy as if by wiping out
expunge = ex<out> + punge<prick/pierce>
- ex: Latin prefix meaning "out" or "away."
- punge: From Latin pungere ("to prick" or "to pierce"), reflecting the idea of puncturing or deleting marks.
Etymology Origin:
The word expunge originates from Latin expungere, combining ex- ("out") and pungere ("to prick"). Historically, it referred to marking text for deletion by pricking or dotting it (as in ancient manuscripts). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to mean "to erase completely," retaining the core idea of removal.
The court ordered the criminal record to be expunged after ten years.
She tried to expunge all memories of the traumatic event.
The editor decided to expunge the controversial paragraph from the article.
The dictator sought to expunge any dissent from historical records.
The software allows users to expunge sensitive data permanently.