- (in the belief of Roman Catholics and others) a condition or place in which the souls of those dying penitent are purified from venial sins, or undergo the temporal punishment that, after the guilt of mortal sin has been remitted, still remains to be endured by the sinner.
- the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy, in which the repentant sinners are depicted.
- any condition or place of temporary punishment, suffering, expiation, or the like.
- serving to cleanse, purify, or expiate.
- a state or place in which the souls of those who have died in a state of grace are believed to undergo a limited amount of suffering to expiate their venial sins and become purified of the remaining effects of mortal sin
- a place or condition of suffering or torment, esp one that is temporary
