thlipsis

English

Etymology

From New Latin thlipsis, from Ancient Greek θλῖψις (thlîpsis, “pressure”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈθlɪp.sɪs/

Noun

thlipsis (uncountable)

1. (medicine, obsolete) Compression, especially constriction of vessels by an external cause.
   • 1773, Colin Hossack, An abridgement of Baron Van Swieten's commentaries upon the Aphorisms of the celebrated Dr. Herman Boerhaave‎^[1]:

     Thus we sometimes see, in ardent fevers, the whole body suffused with redness, while the roughness and dryness of the skin, tongue, fauces, and internal parts of the mouth shew, that the smaller vessels are impervious, being compressed by a true thlipsis, the larger vessels being over distended with red blood.

2. (Christianity) A time of hardship.
   • 2003, Robin Amis, A Different Christianity, page 268:

     This thlipsis is something possessed in common by monks who find their monastic life most difficult, and by those laypeople who would perhaps be monks if they were able.

   • 2005, Elmer Wiebe, Who Is the Adventist Jesus?, page 254:

     Then in verse 29 Jesus says immediately after this thlipsis there will be signs in the heavens, and Jesus returns with His angels to gather his saints.