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- DictionaryPur·ga·to·ry/ˈpərɡəˌtôrē/
noun
- 1. (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: "all her sins were forgiven and she would not need to go to Purgatory"
adjective
- 1. having the quality of cleansing or purifying: archaic "infernal punishments are purgatory and medicinal"
The meaning of PURGATORY is an intermediate state after death for expiatory purification; specifically : 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.
purgatory. In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, the condition of souls of the dead who die with some punishment (though not damnation) due them for their sins. Purgatory is conceived as a condition of suffering and purification that leads to union with God in heaven.
an extremely unpleasant experience that causes suffering: I've been on a diet for two weeks now, and it's purgatory! SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Religious concepts: Heaven. Elysian. heavenly. high. limbo. on high idiom. paradise. perdition. the pearly gates. Zion.
an extremely unpleasant experience that causes suffering: I've been on a diet for two weeks now, and it's purgatory! SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Religious concepts: Heaven. Elysian. heavenly. high. limbo. on high idiom. paradise. perdition. the pearly gates. Zion.
Purgatory (Latin: purgatorium, borrowed into English via Anglo-Norman and Old French) is a passing intermediate state after physical death for purifying or purging a soul. A common analogy is dross being removed from metal in a furnace.
In Roman Catholic doctrine, souls atoned for past sins in purgatory before entering heaven. In fact, for centuries, purgatory was often regarded as an actual physical place. Today, if you say you are in purgatory, you feel stuck or not able to continue towards a goal.
purgatory. noun. /ˈpɜːɡətri/ /ˈpɜːrɡətɔːri/ [uncountable] (usually Purgatory) (in Roman Catholic teaching) a place or state in which the souls of dead people suffer for the bad things they did when they were living, so that they can become pure enough to go to heaven. Want to learn more?
pur·ga·to·ry. (pûr′gə-tôr′ē) n. pl. pur·ga·to·ries. 1. Roman Catholic Church A state in which the souls of those who have died in grace must expiate their sins. 2. A place or condition of suffering, expiation, or remorse: a purgatory of drug abuse. adj. Tending to cleanse or purge.
1. proper noun. Purgatory is the place where Roman Catholics believe the spirits of dead people are sent to suffer for their sins before they go to heaven. Prayers were said for souls in Purgatory. 2. uncountable noun. You can describe a very unpleasant experience as purgatory. Every step of the last three miles was purgatory.
Purgatory Definition. A state or place in which, in Roman Catholicism and other Christian doctrine, those who have died in the grace of God expiate their sins by suffering. Any state or place of temporary punishment, expiation, or remorse. Any situation causing suffering. Tending to cleanse or purge.
