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- Dictionaryordeal/ɔːˈdiːl/
noun
- 1. a very unpleasant and prolonged experience: "the ordeal of having to give evidence"
- 2. 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: historical "ordeals conducted in the twelfth century"
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a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience: The hostages ' ordeal came to an end when soldiers stormed the building. in the past, a way of trying to find out if someone is guilty or innocent by making them suffer extreme pain. If they did not die, this was considered proof from God that they were innocent:
The meaning of ORDEAL is a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control. How to use ordeal in a sentence.
ORDEAL meaning: 1. a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience: 2. in the past, a way of trying to find…. Learn more.
An ordeal is something difficult or painful to go through. Something kind of hard like taking a test can be an ordeal, but often an ordeal is a serious and long-lasting event, like an illness or tragedy.
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. Synonyms: hardship, trial, difficulty, test More Synonyms of ordeal. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.
1. any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial. 2. a former method of trial used to determine guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to serious physical danger, the result being regarded as a divine judgment.
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. / ɔːˈdiːl /.
ordeal. noun. /ɔːˈdiːl/, /ˈɔːdiːl/. /ɔːrˈdiːl/. [usually singular] a difficult or unpleasant experience. They had survived a terrifying ordeal. The interview was less of an ordeal than she'd expected. The hostages spoke openly about the terrible ordeal they had been through.
ordeal. noun. /ɔrˈdil/. [usually singular] ordeal (of something/of doing something) a difficult or unpleasant experience They are to be spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court. The hostages spoke openly about the terrible ordeal they had been through.
ordeal. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English or‧deal /ɔːˈdiːl, ˈɔːdiːl $ ɔːrˈdiːl, ˈɔːrdiːl/ noun [ countable] a terrible or painful experience that continues for a period of time ordeal of She then had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence.
