Ordeal

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːl

Origin

From Middle English *ordel, ordal, from Old English ordēl, ordāl ("ordeal, judgement"), from Proto-Germanic *uzdailaz ("judgement", literally an out-dealing), equivalent to - + deal. Cognate with West Frisian oardiel ("judgement"), Dutch oordeel ("judgement, discretion"), German Urteil ("judgement, verdict").

Full definition of ordeal

Noun

1. A painful or trying experience.
• Wodehouse Offing|XXI|“And do you realize that in a few shakes I've got to show up at dinner and have Mrs Cream being very, very kind to me? It hurts the pride of the Woosters, Jeeves.” “My advice, sir, would be to fortify yourself for the ordeal.” “How?” “There are always cocktails, sir. Should I pour you another?” “You should.”
• 2012, December 29, Paul Doyle, Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle, Arsène Wenger confessed: "The result was not an accurate indication of the match." Certainly, at half-time it seemed unlikely that Arsenal would catch fire so spectacularly because the first half was a damp squib of a display from Wenger's team, as Newcastle initially showed no ill-effects from their Old Trafford ordeal.
2. 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.

Anagrams

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