tribulation
UK: ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən | US: ˌtrɪbjəˈleɪʃən
n. a state of great trouble or suffering
n. a trying experience or ordeal
tribulation = tribul<to press, afflict> + ation<noun suffix>
- tribul: From Latin tribulare ("to press, afflict"), derived from tribulum ("a threshing sledge," a tool used to separate grain from chaff by pressing).
- ation: A noun-forming suffix indicating an action or resulting state (e.g., "creation," "education").
Etymology Origin:
The word tribulation originated in Late Middle English via Old French from Latin tribulatio, rooted in tribulum, a farming tool that crushed grain. Metaphorically, it evolved to describe life's "crushing" hardships, mirroring the physical pressure of threshing. This vivid agricultural imagery reflects how language often borrows from tangible experiences to express abstract struggles.
The refugees endured years of tribulation during the war.
Financial tribulations taught her resilience.
His illness was a tribulation that strengthened his faith.
The team faced many tribulations before winning the championship.
Historical records detail the tribulations of early settlers.