compurgation

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compurgation

/kɒmpɜːˈɡeɪʃən/ UK
/kɒmpəˈɡeɪʃən/ UK

Where it comes from

From Latin compurgātiōnem, from compurgāre (“to purify”).

noun compurgations

countable, historical, uncountable Acquitting someone from a formal charge or accusation following the sworn oaths of a number of other people; vindication. Between the later middle ages and the early seventeenth century, compurgation appears to have become an increasingly onerous test to pass, perhaps reflecting tightening attitudes to sexual offenders.
Similar: absolution, acquittance, assoilment, acquitment, acquittal, compurgation, disculpation, exculpation, exoneration, not guilty, quittance, vindication

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MLA

"compurgation." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/compurgation. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

compurgation. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/compurgation

Chicago

"compurgation." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/compurgation.

BibTeX

@misc{compurgation_2026,
  title = {compurgation},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/compurgation},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}