GRE Word List
ORDEAL
a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control
The meaning of the word ordeal is a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control.
Random words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| natation | the action or art of swimming |
| actuary | clerk |
| detraction | a lessening of reputation or esteem especially by envious, malicious, or petty criticism : belittling |
| effective | producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect |
| fringe | an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band |
| historic | historical |
| flail | a hand threshing implement consisting of a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter stick is so hung as to swing freely |
| haphazard | marked by lack of plan, order, or direction |
| usurp | to seize and hold (office, place, functions, powers, etc.) in possession by force or without right |
| bruise | an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin : contusion |