ordeal
11ordeal — The most ancient species of trial, in Saxon and old English law, being peculiarly distinguished by the appellation of judicium Dei, or judgment of God, it being supposed that supernatural intervention would rescue an innocent person from the… …
12ordeal — /awr deel , dee euhl, awr deel/, n. 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… …
13ordeal — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ long ▪ entire (esp. AmE), whole ▪ My family has supported me through this whole ordeal. ▪ dreadful (esp. BrE), horrible (esp. AmE) …
14ordeal — n. 1) to undergo an ordeal 2) a terrible, trying ordeal 3) (an) ordeal by fire; water * * * [ɔː diːl] trying ordeal water (an) ordeal by fire a terrible to undergo an ordeal …
15ordeal — The most ancient species of trial for criminal offenses, founded upon the belief of the ancients that if a man were innocent, God would save him from death or injury when he was subjected to an ordeal. See 4 Bl Comm 342. See also Hurtado v… …
16Ordeal — A method of trial in which the accused was given a physical test (usually painful and/or dangerous) which could be met successfully only if they were innocent. Eg. Ordeal by fire. ♦ A form of proof in a court of law, by which a divine sign of… …
17ordeal — [[t]ɔː(r)di͟ːl[/t]] ordeals N COUNT: usu sing, oft with poss If you describe an experience or situation as an ordeal, you think it is difficult and unpleasant. ...the painful ordeal of the last eight months... She described her agonising ordeal …
18ordeal — noun (C) a terrible or painful experience (+ of): the ordeal of having your child kidnapped | it is an ordeal to do sth: Some people find it an ordeal to appear before the TV camera …
19ordeal */ — UK [ɔː(r)ˈdiːl] / US [ɔrˈdɪl] noun [countable] Word forms ordeal : singular ordeal plural ordeals an extremely unpleasant experience, especially one that lasts for a long time They have suffered a terrible ordeal …
20ordeal — Synonyms and related words: Sabbat, acid test, adversity, affliction, anguish, assay, blank determination, brouillon, calvary, criterion, cross, crucial test, crucible, determination, disaster, distress, docimasy, essay, feeling out, fiery ordeal …
