ordeal
ordeal Lexical Profile
ordeal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A painful, prolonged, or horrific experience that severely tests a person's endurance, patience, or character.
"The hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the freezing mountain wilderness."
An ancient or medieval judicial practice in which the guilt or innocence of an accused person was determined by subjecting them to a dangerous or painful physical test, such as holding red-hot iron or immersion in water, under the belief that divine intervention would protect the innocent.
"In the early Middle Ages, trial by ordeal was gradually replaced by jury trials and formal legal testimony."
• Rhymes for ordeal
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'ordāl' (judgment, verdict), a compound of the prefix 'or-' (out) and 'dāl' (deal, share), originally referring to a medieval judicial trial in which the accused was subjected to a dangerous physical test, such as fire or water, with survival taken as divine proof of innocence.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.