purify
UK: ˈpjʊərɪfaɪ | US: ˈpjʊrɪfaɪ
vt. to make something physically or morally clean
vt. to remove impurities from a substance
vt. to refine or clarify something (e.g., thoughts, language)
The word "purify" traces back to Latin purificare, combining purus (clean) and -ficare (to make). It entered Middle English via Old French purifier, retaining the core idea of "making clean." The morpheme pur- appears in related words like "pure" and "purge," while -ify is a productive suffix in English (e.g., "simplify," "clarify"). The logical progression reflects a transformation from impurity to cleanliness, both literally and metaphorically.
The water filter helps purify drinking water by removing contaminants.
Ancient rituals were believed to purify the soul.
Scientists developed a new method to purify industrial waste.
Meditation can purify the mind of negative thoughts.
The refinery uses advanced technology to purify crude oil.