ordeal

or-deal · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one.

  2. 2.

    (historical) An ancient test of guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused to physical danger; acquittal was determined by survival without injury.

Forms

plural: ordeals

Related words

Antonyms: delight, pleasure
See also: hardship, suffering, trial, tribulation
Synonyms: hardship, suffering, trial, tribulation

Etymology

From Old English ordal, ordel ("judgment, verdict"), of Germanic origin, related to German Urteil ("judgment").