spurge noun. [spǝ:dʒ] LME.
[Aphet. from Old French espurge (mod. épurge), from espurgier from Latin expurgare cleanse, EXPURGATE.]
Any of numerous plants constituting the genus Euphorbia (family Euphorbiaceae), which exude an acrid milky juice with purgative properties and have minute flowers grouped in a cup-shaped involucre.
caper spurge, petty spurge, Portland spurge, sun spurge, etc.

Comb.:
spurge hawk, spurge hawkmoth a grey-brown and pink hawkmoth, Hyles euphorbiae, whose caterpillars feed on spurges; spurge laurel a low early-flowering Eurasian shrub of the mezereon family, Daphne laureola, with glossy evergreen leaves and greenish flowers; spurge nettle a plant of the spurge family with stinging hairs, Cnidoscolus stimulosus, of the southern US; spurge olive the shrub mezereon, Daphne mezereum.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

spurge verb. [spǝ:dʒ] Long obsolete exc. dial. ME.
[Old French espurgier: see SPURGE noun.]
1. verb trans. Cleanse or purify (a person, the body, etc.); free from or rid of impurity; fig. clear of guilt. ME-M16.

2. verb trans. Remove or clear away or out by cleansing or purifying. rare. LME-L15.

3. verb intrans. Of ale, wine, or other fermenting liquor: produce a deposit during fermentation; become clear; ferment. LME.

4. verb intrans. Empty the bowels. M16-M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲