Dictionary
Thesaurus
Quotes
Encyclopedia
Translator
Did you know: What does the "X" stand for in x-ray?

tribulations

 - 2 dictionary results

trib·u·la·tion

[trib-yuh-ley-shuhn]
–noun
1.
grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2.
an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME < L trībulātiōn- (s. of trībulātiō) distress, trouble, equiv. to trībulāt(us) (ptp. of trībulāre to press, squeeze, deriv. of trībulum threshing sledge, equiv. to trī-, var. s. of terere to rub, crush + -bulum n. suffix of instrument) + -iōn- -ion


1. affliction, hardship, distress, adversity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To tribulations
Word Origin & History

tribulation
early 13c., from O.Fr. tribulacion (12c.), from L.L. tribulationem (nom. tribulatio) "distress, trouble, affliction" (c.200), from tribulatus, pp. of tribulare "to oppress, afflict," a figurative use by Christian writers of L. tribulare "to press," also possibly "to thresh out grain," from tribulum "threshing sledge," from stem of terere "to rub" (see throw) + -bulum, suffix forming names of tools.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see tribulations on Thesaurus | Reference