ordeal tree

9.9

An evergreen tree from South Africa used in traditional tests to decide guilt or innocence

noun

South African

: árbol de la prueba

The villagers once used the ordeal tree in traditional rituals to determine guilt or innocence.

Examples

The toxic seeds of the ordeal tree have a significant place in local folklore.
Researchers are studying the medicinal properties of the ordeal tree found in South Africa.
The ordeal tree is a significant part of South African culture.
Many people in South Africa use the ordeal tree for traditional ceremonies.
The villagers once used the ordeal tree in traditional rituals to determine guilt or innocence.
Many people in South Africa use the ordeal tree for traditional ceremonies.
Researchers are studying the medicinal properties of the ordeal tree found in South Africa.

Synonyms

bushman's poison

vsordeal tree

South African

9.9

An evergreen shrub or small tree from South Africa with poisonous sap used on hunting arrows

is used in ritual trials rather than mainly for hunting use

Acocanthera venenata

vsordeal tree

Specialized

9.9

An evergreen shrub or small tree from South Africa with poisonous sap

is notable for use in ritual trials rather than only as general toxin

Surface Forms

ordeal tree singular

ordeal trees plural

Morphology

ordeal + tree

The compound 'ordeal tree' combines 'ordeal' (a ritual test) + 'tree' (a plant) to denote a tree associated with ordeals; a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is a type of tree used in or linked to ritual trials. While precise botanical details (evergreen shrub, native range) are not predictable, the core referential meaning is transparently compositional and likely obvious cross-linguistically.

Etymology

Ordeal tree gets its name from old local practices where people used the tree's poisonous seeds in a 'trial' to decide 'guilt' or 'innocence'. So the tree's name reminds us of those dangerous 'ordeals'.