ordeal
/'ɔ:di:l/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A severe or trying experience: An extremely difficult, painful, or stressful event or period that tests one's character or endurance.
- (Historical) A primitive method of trial: An ancient judicial practice where an accused person's guilt or innocence was determined by subjecting them to a dangerous or painful physical test, the outcome of which was believed to be a divine judgment.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Severe Experience):
- Recovering from the surgery was a real ordeal for her.
- The hostages described their 10-day captivity as a terrifying ordeal.
- Noun (Historical Method):
- In medieval Europe, trial by ordeal might involve holding a red-hot iron.
- If the accused's hand healed well after the ordeal, it was seen as a sign of innocence.
Advanced Usage
- "ordeal by fire": Can refer literally to the historical trial method or metaphorically to a very difficult test or experience.
- The final exam was an ordeal by fire for the unprepared students.
- "ordeal of...": Used to specify the nature of the difficult experience.
- She spoke about the ordeal of losing her home in the flood.
Variants and Related Words
- Ordealist (n, rare/archaic): A person who undergoes an ordeal.
- Ordeal bean: Refers to the poisonous Calabar bean, historically used in ordeals in West Africa.
Synonyms
- Trial: A test of patience or endurance.
- Tribulation: A cause of great trouble or suffering.
- Hardship: Severe suffering or privation.
Related Phrases
- Baptism of fire: A difficult initial experience, often in a new job or role. (Note: This is a related idiom, not a phrasal verb with 'ordeal').
- Trial and tribulation: A common phrase meaning difficult experiences and problems.
Noun
- a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence
- a severe or trying experience