purgatory

adj. cleansing, absolving, purifying

n. place of purification, place where one's sins are absolved

Purgatory, or "the final purification of the elect", is the process by which, according to Catholic doctrine, "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."
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Noun
1. a temporary condition of torment or suffering; "a purgatory of drug abuse"
(hypernym) situation
2. (theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins
(hypernym) imaginary place, mythical place
(classification) theology, divinity

(n.)
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.
  

(a.)
Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory.
  

In Catholic theology, purgatory is a temporary place for people who have died with the expectation of salvation , but who have not worked out punishment due for some of their sins (i.e., most Christians). In purgatory, this punishment is undergone. Entrance into purgatory is determined by Particular Judgement . At the Judgement Day , they will be released an will enter into heaven . There are similar ideas in Orthodoxy , but they are not so well defined.