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purgatory definition

pur·ga·tory (pʉr′gə tôr′ē)

noun pl. purgatories -·ries

  1. 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
  2. any state or place of temporary punishment, expiation, or remorse

Etymology: ME purgatorie < OFr & ML(Ec): OFr purgatoire < ML(Ec) purgatorium < LL purgatorius, cleansing < L purgare: see purge

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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