INDEX EXPURGATORIUS Meaning and
Definition
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An "Index Expurgatorius" refers to a catalog or list of material that has been censored or stripped of objectionable or offensive content. Derived from Latin, "Index" means a list or catalogue, and "Expurgatorius" signifies censoring or purging. This term has historical roots, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, where it was used to denote a publication indicating books that were not approved by the Church due to their religious or moral content. The purpose of an Index Expurgatorius was to guide and warn readers against reading or possessing books deemed heretical, blasphemous, or unsuitable, often making them subject to strict censorship, condemnation, or even prohibition.
The Index Expurgatorius acted as a means of controlling and restraining information dissemination, especially during periods of intense religious or political fervor. Typically compiled by church officials or state authorities, it aimed to safeguard public morality, religious orthodoxy, or political stability by discouraging exposure to content considered dangerous or subversive.
Through the Index Expurgatorius, specific sections of the indexed works were highlighted for removal, alteration, or deletion. These may include passages, sentences, paragraphs, or even entire chapters. The catalog would often indicate the reasons for the book's condemnation and identify the specific sections that were objectionable. Similarly, books and authors placed on the Index were typically subjected to various degrees of penalties, ranging from public reprimand to excommunication or worse.
While the concept of an Index Expurgatorius may have lost some relevance with the advent of modern modes of information dissemination, it is a testament to the historical efforts to control knowledge, regulate the flow of ideas, and uphold particular moral or religious standards.
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A list of passages of books which are to be expunged or altered.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for INDEX EXPURGATORIUS
- undex expurgatorius
- jndex expurgatorius
- kndex expurgatorius
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- 9ndex expurgatorius
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- ihdex expurgatorius
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- infex expurgatorius
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- indwx expurgatorius
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- indrx expurgatorius
Etymology of INDEX EXPURGATORIUS
The term "Index Expurgatorius" is a Latin phrase that translates to "Index of Expurgation" or "List of Expurgated Books". It has its roots in the practice of creating lists of prohibited or censored books by the Catholic Church. word "index" in Latin originally referred to a guide or list, while "expurgatorius" is derived from the verb "expurgare", meaning "to purify" or "to cleanse". The term "expurgatorius" specifically relates to the act of removing or deleting objectionable or offensive material from a text.
In the context of the Catholic Church, the "Index Expurgatorius" was a catalog or index of books deemed heretical, immoral, or against Catholic doctrine. These books were subject to censorship, and certain passages or entire works were expurgated, or purged, to eliminate content deemed inappropriate or dangerous to the faithful.
