/trib'yeuh lay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
2. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
[ 1175-1225; ME tribulation- (s. of tribulatio ) distress, trouble, equiv. to tribulat ( us ) (ptp. of tribulare to press, squeeze, deriv. of tribulum threshing sledge, equiv. to tri-, var. s. of terere to rub, crush + -bulum n. suffix of instrument) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. affliction, hardship, distress, adversity.