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