tribulations
noun

- unhappiness, pain, or suffering; an experience that causes someone to suffer

- serious trouble or a problem, often unknown even to close friends

- suffering or trouble, usually resulting from oppression or adversity

Britannica, Longman Dictionary, Vocabulary Com

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "tribulations" has a fascinating etymology rooted in ancient Roman agricultural practices.

It comes from the Latin tribulatio, which derives from "tribulum" - a heavy wooden sledge with iron teeth or flint stones embedded on the bottom. Roman farmers used this tool to thresh grain, dragging it over harvested wheat to separate the grain from the chaff.

The verb tribulare meant "to press" or "to oppress," literally referring to this crushing, grinding action of the tribulum against the grain.

The metaphorical leap from agricultural tool to human suffering occurred in Late Latin, where tribulatio began to represent the idea of being "pressed down" or "crushed" by difficult circumstances - much like grain under the tribulum. This imagery of pressure and grinding perfectly captured the experience of severe hardship.

The word gained particular prominence through the Latin Bible, where it was used to translate Greek words for distress and suffering. This biblical usage helped cement "tribulation" as a term for religious persecution and spiritual trials.

"Tribulation" entered Middle English via Old French "tribulacion" around the 13th century, maintaining its meaning of severe trouble or suffering. The plural "tribulations" became common for referring to multiple hardships or a series of difficulties.

The metaphorical extension from agricultural processing to human suffering reflects the ancient understanding that difficulties, like threshing, could separate the valuable from the worthless in human character.

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SYNONYMS

adversities, afflictions, agonies, burdens, calamities, crosses to bear, distresses, hardships, misfortunes, ordeals, sufferings, torments, trials, TRIBULATIONS, troubles, woes

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ANTONYMS



advantages, aids, blessings, boons, benefits, breakthroughs, comfort, delight, encouragements, enjoyments, euphoria, fortune, freedoms, gains, good luck, happiness, help, joy, opportunities, peace, pleasure, prosperity, relief, rewards, satisfaction, security, serenity, successes, triumphs, well-being

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“The ancient Roman etymology of ‘TRIBULATIONS’ is really quite fascinating.”

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P L E A S E   S U P P O R T   O W A D