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Webster 1913 Edition

Trial

Tri′al

,
Noun.
[From
Try
.]
1.
The act of trying or testing in any manner.
Specifically: –
(a)
Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.
[I] defy thee to the
trial
of mortal fight.
Milton.
(b)
The act of testing by experience; proof; test.
Repeated
trials
of the issues and events of actions.
Bp. Wilkins.
(c)
Examination by a test; experiment, as in chemistry, metallurgy, etc.
2.
The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men.
Others had
trial
of cruel mockings and scourgings.
Heb. xi. 36.
3.
That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principles; that which tempts to evil;
as, his child’s conduct was a sore
trial
.
Every station is exposed to some
trials
.
Rogers.
4.
(Law)
The formal examination of the matter in issue in a cause before a competent tribunal; the mode of determining a question of fact in a court of law; the examination, in legal form, of the facts in issue in a cause pending before a competent tribunal, for the purpose of determining such issue.
Syn. – Test; attempt; endeavor; effort; experiment; proof; essay. See
Test
, and
Attempt
.
And millions miss for one that hits.
Swift.

Webster 1828 Edition

Trial

TRI'AL

,
Noun.
[from try.] Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining its effect, or what can be done. A man tries to lift a stone, and on trial finds he is not able. A team attempts to draw a load, and after unsuccessful trial, the attempt is relinquished.
1.
Examination by a test; experiment; as in chimistry and metallurgy.
2.
Experiment; act of examining by experience. In gardening and agriculture, we learn by trial what land will produce; and often, repeated trials are necessary.
3.
Experience; suffering that puts strength, patience of faith to the test; afflictions or temptations that exercise and prove the graces or virtues of men.
Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings. Heb.11.
4.
In law, the examination of a cause in controversy between parties, before a proper tribunal. Trials are civil or criminal. Trial in civil causes, may be by record or inspection; it may be by witnesses and jury, or by the court. By the laws of England and of the United States, trial by jury, in criminal cases, is held sacred. No criminal can be legally deprived of that privilege.
5.
Temptation; test of virtue.
Every station is exposed to some trials.
6.
State of being tried.

Definition 2024

trial

trial

English

Noun

trial ‎(plural trials)

  1. An opportunity to test something out; a test.
    They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
  2. Appearance at judicial court.
  3. A difficult or annoying experience.
    That boy was a trial to his parents.
  4. A tryout to pick members of a team.
    soccer trials
  5. (Britain) An internal examination set by Eton College.
Translations

Adjective

trial ‎(not comparable)

  1. Pertaining to a trial or test.
  2. Attempted on a provisional or experimental basis.
Translations

Verb

trial ‎(third-person singular simple present trials, present participle (UK) trialling or (US) trialing, simple past and past participle (UK) trialled or (US) trialed)

  1. To carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it.
    The warning system was extensively trialed before being fitted to all our vehicles.
  2. To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
    The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.

Translations

Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Latin trialis, an adjective formed from tres ‎(“three”) + -ālis.

Adjective

trial ‎(not comparable)

  1. Characterized by having three (usually equivalent) components.
  2. Triple.
  3. (grammar) pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, as people; contrast singular, dual and plural.
    No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.
Translations

See also

Anagrams

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • Hyphenation: tri‧al

Etymology

Borrowing from English trial.

Noun

trial m ‎(plural trials, diminutive trialtje n)

  1. Cross with small but sturdy and very versatile motorcycles, cars or bicycles

Italian

Etymology

Borrowing from English trial.

Noun

trial m ‎(invariable)

  1. (sports) trials (motorcycle etc)

Anagrams

Old French

Etymology

trier ‎(“to try such as in a court of law”) +‎ -al.

Noun

trial m ‎(oblique plural triaus or triax or trials, nominative singular triaus or triax or trials, nominative plural trial)

  1. trial (legal procedure)

Usage notes

  • due to lack of attestation, the precise meaning is uncertain

Descendants

  • English: trial (borrowed)

References

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman trial, from trier ‎(“to pick out, cull”) + -al. More at English try.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtɹaɪəl/
  • Rhymes: -aɪəl

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