Noun: trial by ordeal
- A primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence
"In medieval times, trial by ordeal often involved walking on hot coals or being submerged in water";
- ordeal
Derived forms: trial by ordeals, trials by ordeal
Type of: trial
Encyclopedia: Trial by ordeal