arch. Also 4–6 try-, -cion, etc. [a. OF. tribulacion (12th c. in Godef., Compl.), ad. Chr.L. trībulātiōn-em (Itala, a. 200, etc.), n. of action from L. trībulāre to press, oppress, afflict, f. trībul-um a threshing-sledge, app. f. trī-, var. stem of ter-ĕre, trīvi, trītum to rub, grind + -bulum, forming names of instruments.]

1

  1.  A condition of great affliction, oppression, or misery; ‘persecution; distress; vexation; disturbance of life’ (J.).

2

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 206. He lyued in wo & strife, & in tribulacioun.

3

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 983. Myn herte is now in tribulacion.

4

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xxiv. 21. Thanne schal be greet tribulacioun.

5

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., viii. 22 (Harl. MS.). To þis Cite is a þorny wey and a sharp, scil. penaunce and tribulacion in erþe.

6

1534.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., I. Wks. 1158/1. Tribulacion is euery such thing as troubleth and greueth a man either in bodye or mynde.

7

1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 63. Tri’d in sharp tribulation, and refin’d By Faith and faithful works.

8

1696.  Phillips (ed. 5), Tribulation, Affliction, Misery; generally spoken of that which a Christian takes in good part, as being inflicted by the hand of God.

9

1862.  Sat. Rev., 8 Feb., 141. The sufferers … are sustained in their tribulation by the proud consciousness that they are assisting to uphold a great national principle.

10

  b.  With a and pl. An affliction.

11

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 402. None wateres, þet beoð worldliche temptaciuns ne tribulaciuns … ne muwen þeos luue acwenchen.

12

a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour (1906), 75. Many tribulacions and euylls.

13

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 11 b. Ye paynes, aduersitees, tribulacyons … & all other labours & besynesses of this worlde.

14

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 336. The just shall … after all thir tribulations long See golden days.

15

  † c.  One who or that which causes trouble. (In quot., app. a cant name for a gang of disturbers.)

16

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. iv. 65. These are the youths that thunder at a Playhouse … that no Audience but the tribulation of Tower Hill, or the Limbes of Limehouse, their deare Brothers, are able to endure.

17

  † 2.  The condition of being held in pawn or pledge. Obs. slang.

18

1663.  Dryden, Wild Gallant, I. ii. Sirrah, Boy, fetch my Suit with the Gold Lace at Sleeves from Tribulation.

19

1764.  Low Life (ed. 3), 15. Pawnbrokers … busy in altering the Dates of Cloaths under Tribulation.

20