purgatory
nounadjectiveattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈpɜːɡət(ə)ɹi//
- United States//ˈpɝɡəˌtɔɹi//
Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
noun
- 1
Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
the purgatory of lost love
[…] many Gods breedeth heathens miseries, many countries trauailers humors, many wiues mens purgatories, and many friends trustes ruine:
I laid my rank and fortune at the fair one’s feet, and would have married instantly; but that Oldworth opposed my precipitancy, and insisted upon a probation of six months absence—It has been a purgatory!
It might be […] that Ruth had worked her way through the deep purgatory of repentance up to something like purity again; God only knew!
- 2
Variant of PurgatoryAlternative letter-case form of Purgatory.
Etymology
From Middle English purgatorie, from Old French purgatore, purgatorie, from Latin purgātōrium (“cleansing”). Cognate to English purge.
adjective
- 1
Tending to cleanse; expiatory.
Last of all, the prodigie of Siracusa was expiat by a purgatory sacrifice, by direction from the soothsaiers to what gods, supplications and sacrifice should be made.
This purgatory interval is not unfavourable to a faithless representative, who may be as good a canvasser as he was a bad governor.
Forms
- plural
- purgatories
- comparative
- more purgatory
- superlative
- most purgatory
purgatory · Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
Purgatory · An intermediate state after death in which some of those…purge · To clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse; to…purity · The state or degree of being pure.