TRIBULATION

trial, tribulation, visitation

(noun) an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event; “his mother-in-law’s visits were a great trial for him”; “life is full of tribulations”; “a visitation of the plague”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

tribulation (plural tribulations)

Any adversity; a trying period or event.

Proper noun

Tribulation

(Christian eschatology) (A period of) persecution before the Second Coming, lasting seven years, which Christians will experience worldwide which will purify and strengthen them.

Source: Wiktionary

Trib`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [OE. tribulacium, F. tribulation, L. tribulatio, from tribulare to press, afflict, fr. tribulum a thrashing sledge, akin to terere, tritum, to rub. See Trite.]

Definition: That which occasions distress, trouble, or vexation; severe affliction. When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matt. xiii. 21. In the world ye shall have tribulation. John. xvi. 33.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition