ordeal
[ awr-deel, -dee-uh l, awr-deel ]
/ ɔrˈdil, -ˈdi əl, ˈɔr dil /
noun
any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.
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.
Words nearby ordeal
orczy,
ord,
ord.,
ordain,
ordainee,
ordeal,
ordeal bean,
ordeal tree,
order,
order about,
order arms
Example sentences from the Web for ordeal
British Dictionary definitions for ordeal
ordeal
/ (ɔːˈdiːl) /
noun
a severe or trying experience
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
Word Origin for ordeal
Old English
ordāl, ordēl; related to Old Frisian
ordēl, Old High German
urteili (German
Urteil) verdict. See
deal
1,
dole
1