pur ‧ ga ‧ tory /ˈpɜːɡət ə ri $ ˈpɜːrɡətɔːri/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Anglo-French ; Origin: purgatorie , from Latin purgatus , past participle of purgare ; ⇨ ↑ purge 1 ]
1 . [uncountable] something that makes you suffer – used humorously:
Sewing is relaxation for some, purgatory for others.
2 . Purgatory in Roman Catholic belief, a place where the souls of dead people suffer until they are pure enough to enter heaven
—purgatorial /ˌpɜːɡəˈtɔːriəl◂ $ ˌpɜːr-/ adjective