Etymology:
Old English: ordæl (trial, judgment) Proto-Germanic: *urðeilz (verdict, judgment) Proto-Indo-European: *h₁rt- (to set in order, appoint)
Meaning:
An ordeal is a severe test or trial, especially one that involves great pain or danger. It can also refer to a legal proceeding or a judicial decision.
Origin:
The word "ordeal" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁rt-, meaning "to set in order, appoint." In Proto-Germanic, this root developed into *urðeilz, which referred to a verdict or judgment.
In Old English, the word ordæl took on a broader meaning, encompassing both legal trials and personal trials or challenges. It could refer to an ordeal by combat, where two parties fought to determine guilt or innocence, or to a more general test of strength, endurance, or faith.
Over time, the meaning of "ordeal" has evolved to focus more on the severe and difficult aspects of a trial or test. It now typically refers to a situation that involves great pain, danger, or hardship.
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