purgatory
/ˈpɜ:gətrɪ; ?@ -tɔ:rɪ; `pəɡəˌtɔrɪ/ n[U]
1 (usu 通常作 Purgatory) (in Roman Catholic teaching) place or condition in which the souls of the dead are purified by suffering in preparation for Heaven （天主教教义中的）炼狱
a prayer for the souls in Purgatory 为炼狱中的灵魂作的祈祷.
2 (esp infml or joc 尤作口语或戏谑语) any place or condition of suffering 任何受难的处所或情况
He's so impatient that waiting in a queue is sheer purgatory for him!他毫无耐性, 对他来说排队等候完全是活受罪!