n.

1. 严峻考验；苦难，折磨[C][S1]
   The parents went through a terrible ordeal when their child was kidnapped.

   当孩子遭到绑架时，父母亲经受了一次可怕的折磨。

   Every plane crash is an ordeal for the surviving relatives.

   每次的空难对家属而言都是个严酷的考验。

2. 神裁法（古条顿族施行的判罪法，如将嫌疑犯的手浸入沸水中，受神主宰，手无损，则无罪）[U]

n.

1. a prolonged painful or horrific experience.
2. an ancient test of guilt or innocence by subjection of the accused to severe pain, survival of which was taken as divine proof of innocence.