purgatio
From LSJ
ἃ γὰρ δεῖ μαθόντας ποιεῖν, ταῦτα ποιοῦντες μανθάνομεν → what we have to learn to do we learn by doing
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
purgātĭo: ōnis, f. id.,
I a cleansing, purging.
I Lit.: cloacarum, Trajan. ap. Plin. Ep. 10, 41 fin.: menstrua, the monthly courses of women, Plin. 32, 10, 46, § 131; so, feminarum, id. 20, 9, 34, § 86; 20, 14, 53, § 148; 24, 13, 72, § 116; 30, 14, 44, § 129; Sen. Q. N. 3, 16: alvi, a purging, Cic. N. D. 3, 22, 57; also simply purgatio, id. Fam. 16, 10, 1.—
II Trop.
A A religious purgation or purification from guilt, an expiation, Plin. 15, 30, 40, § 135; Vulg. Heb. 1, 3.—
B An apology, justification, Cic. Inv. 1, 11, 15; 2, 31, 94; Ter. Heaut. 4, 1, 12.
