purgatory
UK /ˈpɜːɡət(ə)ɹi/ · US /ˈpɝɡəˌtɔɹi/ noun, adjective, proper noun
Forms purgatories
- noun Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption. “the purgatory of lost love”
- adjective Tending to cleanse; expiatory.
- proper noun (Christianity) An intermediate state after death in which some of those ultimately destined for Heaven must first undergo purification.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English purgatorie, from Old French purgatore, purgatorie, from Latin purgātōrium (“cleansing”). Cognate to English purge.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory. Burke.
- noun A state or place of purification after death; according to the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven.
Etymology [L. purgatorius.]
Etymology [Cf. F. purgatoire.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “purgatory”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details