A painful or trying experience.
The poisonous ordeal bean or Calabar bean
A trial in which the accused was subjected to a dangerous test (such as ducking in water), divine authority deciding the guilt of the accused.
Any ordeal which tests one's strength, endurance or resolve.
A situation in which a soldier or other combatant faces the discharge of opposing weapons, as a test of their fortitude.
A test in which a person is exposed to flames in order to assess their truthfulness, commitment, courage etc.