Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An ordeal is an old-fashioned way of determining if someone is guilty or innocent of a crime. It involved a dangerous or painful physical test, like holding a hot piece of metal or being submerged in water. People believed that God would reveal the truth through the outcome of the test. If the person was innocent, they would be protected from harm. If they were guilty, they would suffer. Ordeals were used a long time ago, but they are not used anymore because they are not fair or reliable.
Ordeal is a primitive form of trial that was used in the past to determine if someone was guilty or innocent of a crime. It involved subjecting the accused person to a dangerous or painful physical test, which was believed to be a divine revelation of their guilt or innocence.
These examples illustrate how the ordeal was believed to reveal the truth about a person's guilt or innocence through divine intervention. The accused person had to undergo a dangerous or painful test, and the outcome was considered a sign from God. If they were innocent, they would be protected from harm, but if they were guilty, they would suffer the consequences.