Tribulation
/ˌtrɪb.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/noun
A state of great trouble or suffering.
Did you know?In historical texts, tribulation often referred to intense suffering used to purify the soul, linking it to spiritual transformation and enlightenment.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tribulatio
“A term used to describe suffering or distress, often related to being crushed or pressed down.”
Old French
Old French
tribulacion
“Adoption of the Latin term, retaining the sense of severe hardship.”
Middle English
Middle English
tribulacioun
“The term began to be used in religious contexts, emphasizing suffering as a test of faith.”
Modern English
English
tribulation
“Continued use in both religious and secular contexts, symbolizing deep, often transformative suffering.”