purgatory

Alternative letter-case form of Purgatory.

Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.

[…] 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!

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.

An intermediate state after death in which some of those ultimately destined for Heaven must first undergo purification.