PURGATORY
Pur"ga*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. purgatorius.]
Defn: Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory. Burke.
PURGATORY
Pur"ga*to*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. purgatoire.]
Defn: A state or place of purification after death; according to the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven.
PURGE
Purge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purged; p. pr. & vb. n. Purging.] Etym:
[F. purger, L. purgare; purus pure + agere to make, to do. See Pure,
and Agent.]
1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous. "Till fire purge all things new." Milton.
2. (Med.)
Defn: To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.
3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.
4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.