Definition of compurgation

< compunction

computation >

com·pur·ga·tion    (kmpr-gshn) KEY 

NOUN:

An ancient form of trial in which an accused person could call 11 people to swear to their belief in his innocence.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin comprgti, comprgtin-, complete purification, from Latin comprgtus, past participle of comprgre, to purify completely : com-, intensive pref. ; see com- + prgre, to purify; see peu- in Indo-European roots