Noun

(en noun)

A state of pain, suffering, distress or agony.

Something which causes pain, suffering, distress or agony.

*1913 ,

*:She wore a man's long ulster (not as if it were an affliction , but as if it were very comfortable and belonged to her; carried it like a young soldier) [...]

Noun

(en noun)

A painful or trying experience.

*

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=December 29 , author=Paul Doyle , title=Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle , work=The Guardian citation , page= , passage=Arsène Wenger confessed: "The result was not an accurate indication of the match." Certainly, at half-time it seemed unlikely that Arsenal would catch fire so spectacularly because the first half was a damp squib of a display from Wenger's team, as Newcastle initially showed no ill-effects from their Old Trafford ordeal .}}

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.