- The act of purging; the act of clearing, cleansing, or
putifying, by separating and carrying off impurities, or whatever is
superfluous; the evacuation of the bowels. - The clearing of one's self from a crime of which one was
publicly suspected and accused. It was either canonical, which was
prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof used in the spiritual
court was, that the person suspected take his oath that he was clear of
the matter objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with
him to make oath that they believes he swore truly; or vulgar, which
was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. See Ordeal.
Definition
[ n.]