impalement vs tribulation

impalement

noun
  • (obsolete) In the sense of an enclosure, the calyx of a flower. In still older works, also spelt empalement (q.v.) 

  • A space fenced in, such as by palings, possibly in the form of an enclosure or cup. 

  • The joining of two coats of arms on one shield. 

  • The act of torturing or executing someone by impaling them on a sharp stake. 

tribulation

noun
  • Any adversity; a trying period or event. 

How often have the words impalement and tribulation occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )