[pur.ga.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. AF or ML; AF purgatorie, fr. ML purgatorium, fr. LL, neut. of purgatorius purging, fr. L purgare] (13c) 1: an intermediate state after death for expiatory purification; specif: a place or state of punishment wherein according to Roman Catholic doctrine the souls of those who die in God's grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven
2: a place or state of temporary suffering or misery