[ad. L. excruciātiōn-em, n. of action f. excruciāre: see EXCRUCIATE v.] The action of causing or the state of suffering extreme pain; an instance of this.
1618. T. Gainsford, Hist. P. Warbeck, in Select. fr. Harl. Misc. (1793), 62/2. After she had lived a while in some calamitous distress, and excruciation both of soul and body.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, II. lvii. 278 (T.). The thwartings, and the excruciations of life.
1646. Gaule, Cases Consc., 190–1. Can his excruciation be a sufficient Cause for our Execution?
1885. G. Meredith, Diana, II. i. 5. The doom of men to excruciation in endlessness.
