HOT-WATER ORDEAL
\hˈɒtwˈɔːtəɹ ɔːdˈi͡əl], \hˈɒtwˈɔːtəɹ ɔːdˈiəl], \h_ˈɒ_t_w_ˈɔː_t_ə_ɹ ɔː_d_ˈiə_l]\
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In old English law. This was a test, in cases of accusation, byhot water; the party accused and suspected being appointed by the judge to put hisarms up to the elbows iu seethlng hot water, which, after sundry prayers and invocations, he did, and was, by the effectwhich followed, judged guilty or innocent, Wharton.
By Henry Campbell Black
