Ordeal Definition

ôr-dēl
noun
Any difficult, painful, or trying experience; severe trial.
Webster's New World
An ancient method of trial in which the accused was exposed to physical dangers, from which he or she was supposed to be divinely protected if innocent.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Ordeal

Noun

Singular:
ordeal
Plural:
ordeals

Origin of Ordeal

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

    From Wiktionary

  • Alteration (influenced by deal) of Middle English ordal trial by ordeal from Old English ordāl dail- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Ordeal Sentence Examples

  • This must have been quite an ordeal for her.

  • She had done nothing but cry, complain and faint since this ordeal had begun.

  • There was also a considerable amount of new legislatiofl with the object of protecting the minor subjects of the crown, and the system of trial by jurors was advanced to the detriment of the absurd old practices of trial by ordeal and trial by wager of battle.

  • The eight-hour ordeal to get there was worth the ten-minute conversation.

  • Cynthia laughed, the first sign of life since the ordeal had begun.

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Words Starting With

OORORD

Words Ending With

LALEAL

Unscrambles

ordeal

Words Starting With O and Ending With L

Starts With O & Ends With LStarts With OR & Ends With LStarts With O & Ends With AL

Word Length

6 Letter Words6 Letter Words Starting With O6 Letter Words Ending With L