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Scavenge vs Purge - What's the difference?

scavenge | purge |

In transitive terms the difference between scavenge and purge

is that scavenge is to expel the exhaust gases from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and draw in air for the next cycle while purge is to clarify; to clear the dregs from (liquor).

In intransitive terms the difference between scavenge and purge

is that scavenge is to feed on carrion or refuse while purge is to have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic.

As a noun purge is

an act of purging.

scavenge

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • to collect and remove refuse, or to search through refuse, carrion, or abandoned items for useful material
  • to remove unwanted material from something, especially to purify molten metal by removing impurities
  • to expel the exhaust gases from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and draw in air for the next cycle
  • to feed on carrion or refuse
  • Derived terms

    * scavenger * scavenge pump

    purge

    English

    (wikipedia purge)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of .
  • (medicine) An evacuation of the bowels or a vomiting.
  • A cleansing of pipes.
  • A forcible removal of people, for example, from political activity.
  • Stalin liked to ensure that his purges were not reversible.
  • That which purges; especially, a medicine that evacuates the intestines; a cathartic.
  • (Arbuthnot)

    Verb

    (purg)
  • to clean thoroughly; to cleanse; to rid of impurities
  • (religion) to free from sin, guilt, or the burden or responsibility of misdeeds
  • To remove by cleansing; to wash away.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxix. 9
  • Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
  • * Addison
  • We'll join our cares to purge away / Our country's crimes.
  • (medicine) to void (the bowels); to vomit.
  • (medicine) To operate on (somebody) as a cathartic, or in a similar manner.
  • (legal) to clear of a charge, suspicion, or imputation
  • To clarify; to clear the dregs from (liquor).
  • To become pure, as by clarification.
  • To have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic.