ordeal
/ɔɹˈdil/ noun C1- A trial in which the accused was subjected to a dangerous test (such as ducking in water), divine authority deciding the guilt of the accused. · trial by ordeal
- A painful or trying experience.
- The poisonous ordeal bean or Calabar bean.
Plural ordeals
From the library
Matthew, however, was spared the ordeal of speaking first, for as soon as she concluded that he was coming to her she stood up, grasping with one thin brown hand the handle of a shabby, old-fashioned carpet-bag; the other she held out to him.
It would be, he felt assured, no trifling ordeal.
He will have a better nerve for the ordeal which he will have to undergo tomorrow, when he is engaged, if I remember your report aright, to dine with these people.”
The great ordeal was in front of us; at last we were about to make our final effort, and yet Holmes had said nothing, and I could only surmise what his course of action would be.
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