via do·lo·ro·sa \-ˌdäləˈrōsə, -ˌdōl-\noun Etymology: from Via Dolorosa (from Latin, literally, sorrowful road), Jesus' route from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha to be crucified : a painfully difficult route, passage, or series of experiences < an epoch which condemns its children to a via dolorosa of examinations — Herbert Read >