ordeal
UK[ɔːˈdiːəl]US[ɔːrˈdiːəl]
n
a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience.
n
(historical) 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.
Etymology
the word 'ordeal' originates from the old english noun 'ordāl' or 'ordēl', meaning 'judgment' or 'verdict'. this old english term is derived from the west germanic compound 'uzdailī', which literally meant 'that which is dealt out' or 'judgment', formed from 'uz-' (out) and 'dailiz' (portion, share). the modern meaning evolved from the specific historical sense of a severe physical trial, believed to reveal divine judgment, to its current figurative sense of any extremely painful or testing experience. this semantic shift reflects the conceptual link between a formal, agonizing test of truth and any profoundly difficult life event.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from old english, which itself borrowed it from a germanic root.
Examples
recovering from the surgery was a long and painful ordeal.
the interview process was a real ordeal, with multiple tests and panels.
in medieval times, trial by ordeal might involve carrying a hot iron.