First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
ordeal
noun or·deal \ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l, ˈȯr-ˌ\
: an experience that is very unpleasant or difficult
Full Definition of ORDEAL
1
: a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control <ordeal by fire>
2
: a severe trial or experience
See ordeal defined for English-language learners
See ordeal defined for kids
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Origin of ORDEAL
Middle English ordal, from Old English ordāl; akin to Old High German urteil judgment, Old English dāl division — more at deal
Rhymes with ORDEAL
aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel
ORDEAL Defined for Kids
ordeal
noun or·deal \ȯr-ˈdēl\
Definition of ORDEAL for Kids
: a severe test or experience
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