ordeal
//ɔːˈdiːl//
Noun
ordealSingular
ordealsPlural
1
A very unpleasant and prolonged experience; a severe trial or hardship.
The family went through a terrible ordeal when their house was destroyed by the fire.
2
(historical) An ancient test of guilt or innocence by subjection to severe pain, the result being regarded as a divine judgment.
In medieval times, trial by ordeal was used to determine a person's guilt or innocence.