[f. L. trībulāt-, ppl. stem of trībulāre; or perh. from TRIBULATION, q.v.] trans. To afflict; to oppress; to trouble greatly.
a. 1637. N. Ferrar, trans. Valdés’ 110 Consid. (1638), 121–2. If such a one be needy, tribulated, and afflicted, it is because it so pleaseth God.
1644. Quarles, Whipper Whipt, 18. As for our Bishops you tearme Popish, How many of them have lately forsaken (for their Conscience sake) their lively-hoods, and fled from the Popish faction in Ireland, hither, where, instead of charitable reliefe, they are thrasht and tribulated, with another Flayle?
1829. Landor, Imag. Conv., Cdl. Albani & Picture-Dealers, Wks. 1846, II. 7/2. The Pontifical Chancery and the Ruota Criminale would never tribulate gallant men in this guise.
1845. Carlyle, Cromwell, IX. (1871), IV. 136. Otherwise tribulated by subaltern authorities.
1885. S. Cox, Expositions, I. xxiii. 306. ‘He will tribulate them that tribulate you,’ says St. Paul to the Thessalonians.
