n. 1. Great affliction, trial, or distress; suffering: a time of great tribulation. See Synonyms at trial. 2. An experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith. See Synonyms at burden. [Middle English tribulacioun, from Old French tribulacion, from Latin trībulātiō, trībulātiōn-, from trībulātus, past participle of trībulāre, to oppress, from Latin trībulum, threshing-sledge; see terə-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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