purgatory

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pur·ga·to·ry / ˈpərgəˌtôrē/ • n. (pl. -ries) (in Roman Catholic doctrine) a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven. ∎  mental anguish or suffering: this was purgatory, worse than anything she'd faced in her life.• adj. archaic having the quality of cleansing or purifying: infernal punishments are purgatory and medicinal.DERIVATIVES: pur·ga·to·ri·al / ˌpərgəˈtôrēəl/ adj.

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