a place or state of punishment in which, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the souls of those who die in God's grace may make amends for past sins and so become fit for heaven
informal a place or state of temporary suffering or misery
The return trip was absolute purgatory
purgatorial /-ʹtawri·əl/ adj
[Middle English via French from medieval Latin purgatorium, from late Latin purgatorius purging, from Latin purgare: see purge1]