gruellingn.
/ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɡru(ə)lɪŋ/ colloquial.
The action of gruel v.; ‘punishing’, defeat, esp. in an athletic contest.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > [noun] > losing or defeat
loss1548
thrashing1797
punishment1811
trouncing1867
gruelling1882
shut-out1889
slaughter1890
nong1903
caning1933
massacre1940
whacking1951
1882 Society 14 Oct. 22/2 After the consistent gruelling he received..it is very probable that he will run all the better for being a bit above himself.
1892 H. Cox Coursing in H. Cox & G. Lascelles Coursing & Falconry (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 19 Misterton had a rare gruelling in his first course, and was put out by Devastation next round.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gruellingadj.
/ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɡru(ə)lɪŋ/ colloquial.
That ‘gruels’; exhausting, ‘punishing’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > causing weariness or exhaustion > other spec.
crushing1577
breathing1684
punishing1833
winding1842
gruelling1852
costing1900
1852 J. F. Bateman Aquatic Notes v. 70 Their rivals [in a boat-race]..were pulling a very quick and ‘gruelling’ stroke.
1891 Sportsman 8 July 8/4 After a gruelling finish, Magdalen just struggled home by two feet amidst great excitement.
1894 J. D. Astley Fifty Years of my Life II. viii. 131 What gruelling courses I have seen on Snail Down.
Draft additions 1993
ˈgruellingly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adverb] > causing weariness or exhaustion
travailouslya1382
wearisomelyc1735
fatiguingly1807
wearingly1870
exhaustingly1882
tiringly1894
costingly1926
gruellingly1973
1973 in Webster's New Collegiate Dict.
1987 Financial Times 7 Dec. 20/1 This gruellingly competitive industry.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1882adj.1852