| 释义 |
or·deal
I. \(ˈ)ȯr|dēl, (ˈ)ȯ(ə)|-, esp before pause or consonant -ēəl\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English ordal, from Old English ordāl, ordēl; akin to Old Frisian ordêl, urdêl judgment, verdict, ordeal, Old Saxon urdēli judgment, verdict, Old High German urteili, urteil; all from a prehistoric West Germanic compound derived from a compound verb represented by Old High German irteilen to render a verdict, judge, bestow, distribute, from ir-, perfective prefix + teilen to divide, render a verdict — more at abear, deal
1. : a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine or superhuman control with escape from injury ordinarily taken as a vindication of innocence
< ordeal by battle >
< ordeal by fire >
< ordeal by water >
2. : something that tests or is used to test character or endurance : a severe trial : a trying experience
< recover from the ordeal of that climb — John Hunt & Edmund Hillary >
< the ordeal of watching the last dollars disappear — Irving Stone >
< an encounter with the headmaster could be something of an ordeal — A.F.Fforde >
II. adjective
: of or relating to trial by ordeal |