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.

Noun

(en noun)

An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.

(senseid)A perceived obstacle.

A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.

* 1882 , James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England , Volume 4, p. 414.

The practice of folding sheep was general, and the purchase of hurdles was a regular charge in the shepherd's account.

(UK, obsolete) A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

(Francis Bacon)

(lb)