Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any severe trial or test; a painful experience. 2. (n.) An ancient form of test to determine guilt or innocence, by appealing to a supernatural decision, -- once common in Europe, and still practiced in the East and by savage tribes. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to trial by ordeal.

Multi-Version Concordance Ordeal (2 Occurrences) 2 Corinthians 8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. (See NAS) 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. (See NAS RSV)