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ordeal

[ awr-deel, -dee-uhl, awr-deel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

ordeal

/ ɔːˈ�徱ː�� /

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

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Origin of ordeal¹

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

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Origin of ordeal¹

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

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Examples have not been reviewed.

"But this doesn't mean this ordeal is over for the students who have had their records terminated."

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But he called the whole ordeal “kind of random.”

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Reflecting on the recovery, Flintoff said he "didn't think I had it in me to get through" the ordeal.

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He said: "The conduct of two very brave little girls has been quite remarkable, in light of the ordeal they have been through."

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But one of the two priests — both survived the ordeal — said later that he did not believe Bergoglio to be at fault.

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