via dolorosa

noun

via do·​lo·​ro·​sa

-ˌdäləˈrōsə,

-ˌdōl-

: a painfully difficult route, passage, or series of experiences

an epoch which condemns its children to a via dolorosa of examinations

—Herbert Read

Word History

Etymology

from Via Dolorosa (from Latin, literally, sorrowful road), Jesus' route from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha to be crucified

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