purgatory

Purgatory is a place or state of being where people exist temporarily to admit their sins or receive punishment.

(noun)

An example of purgatory is the place between heaven and hell where a soul's ultimate fate is decided.

See purgatory in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

See purgatory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pur·ga·to·ries

Roman Catholic Church A state in which the souls of those who have died in grace must expiate their sins.
A place or condition of suffering, expiation, or remorse: a purgatory of drug abuse.

adjective

Tending to cleanse or purge.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English purgatorie

Origin: , from Old French purgatoire

Origin: , from Medieval Latin pūrgātōrium

Origin: , from Late Latin, means of purgation

Origin: , from neuter of pūrgātōrius, cleansing

Origin: , from Latin pūrgāre, to cleanse; see purge

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