ordeal

[ awr-deel, -dee-uhl, awr-deel ]
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noun
  1. any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.

  2. a primitive form of trial to determine guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to fire, poison, or other serious danger, the result being regarded as a divine or preternatural judgment.

Origin of ordeal

1
before 950; Middle English ordal,Old English ordāl; cognate with Dutch oordeel,German Urteil.See a-3, dole1

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British Dictionary definitions for ordeal

ordeal

/ (ɔːˈdiːl) /


noun
  1. a severe or trying experience

  2. history a method of trial in which the guilt or innocence of an accused person was determined by subjecting him to physical danger, esp by fire or water. The outcome was regarded as an indication of divine judgment

Origin of ordeal

1
Old English ordāl, ordēl; related to Old Frisian ordēl, Old High German urteili (German Urteil) verdict. See deal 1, dole 1

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