noun pl. purgatories
- Theol. a state or place in which, in Rom. Catholicism and other Christian doctrine, those who have died in the grace of God expiate their sins by suffering
- any state or place of temporary punishment, expiation, or remorse
Origin:
ME purgatorie < OFr & ML(Ec): OFr purgatoire < ML(Ec) purgatorium < LL purgatorius, cleansing < L purgare: see purge