ordeal
81trial by ordeal — trial by or·deal / ȯr dēl, ȯr ˌdēl/: a formerly used criminal trial in which the guilt or innocence of the accused was determined by subjection to dangerous or painful tests (as submersion in water) believed to be under divine control Merriam… …
82Madagascar ordeal bean — vaistinė cerbera statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Stepukinių šeimos vaistinis nuodingas augalas (Cerbera manghas), paplitęs Afrikoje, pietų Azijoje ir Australijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Cerbera manghas angl. Madagascar ordeal bean šaltinis… …
83cold-water ordeal — A trial by ordeal in which the defendant was thrown into cold water; if he sank, he was deemed innocent; if he floated, he was found guilty …
84trial by ordeal — See ordeal …
85trial by ordeal — noun Archaic practice by which a person accused of a crime could prove his innocence by his survival of physically painful tests …
86terrible ordeal — torment, agony, torture, suffering …
87Cold Water Ordeal — A suspected witch was bound hand and foot and thrown into a pond or river. If she floated, then she was a witch, since it was believed this was an act of the devil protecting his own. If she sank, she was innocent, but she was also probably… …
The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology
88Hot Water Ordeal — The victim fasted for three days, then a ring or piece of metal, blessed by a priest, was thrown into a pot of boiling water. The victim reached into the pot and pulled out the object. The worse the crime the deeper the boiling water. The arm… …
The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology
89Ploughshares Ordeal — Ploughshares were laid across a fire pit in a grid pattern and allowed to become red hot. The victim then walked barefoot across the ploughshares, and if his wounds healed in three days he was innocent. This was also used to select leaders of… …
The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology
90cold water ordeal — The trial which was anciently used for the common sort of people, who, having a cord tied about them under their arms, were cast into a river; if they sank to the bottom until they were drawn up, which was in a very short time, then were they… …