Noun

(en noun)

A painful or trying experience.

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* {{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)

The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium ''Yersinia pestis .

(pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.

A widespread affliction, calamity or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.

Ten Biblical plagues over Egypt, ranging from locusts to the death of the crown prince, finally forced Pharaoh to let Moses's people go.

A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates

Bart is an utter plague ; his pranks never cease.