Looking for the meaning of the word ORDEAL in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of ORDEAL with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.
Word: Ordeal
Speech Type: Noun
Old English ordāl, ordēl, of Germanic origin; related to German urteilen ‘give judgement’, from a base meaning ‘share out’. The word is not found in Middle English (except once in Chaucer's Troilus); modern use of ordeal (sense 2) began in the late 16th century, whence ordeal (sense 1) (mid 17th century)
ɔːˈdiːl
a very unpleasant and prolonged experience
Short Definition:very unpleasant and prolonged experience
Examples:- the ordeal of having to give evidence
an ancient test of guilt or innocence by subjection of the accused to severe pain, survival of which was taken as divine proof of innocence
Short Definition:ancient test of guilt or innocence by subjection of accused to severe pain
Examples:- ordeals conducted in the twelfth century
- ordeal by fire
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