ˈtraɪəl n. 1 a
judicial examination and determination of issues
between parties by a
judge with or
without a
jury (stood trial
for murder). 2 a a process or
mode of testing qualities. b
experimental treatment. c a test (will
give you a trial). 3 a
trying thing or
experience or
person,
esp.
hardship or
trouble (the trials of
old age). 4 a sports match to test
the ability of players
eligible for
selection to a
team. 5 a test of
individual ability on a
motor cycle over rough ground or on a road. 6
any of
various contests involving
performance by horses, dogs, or
other animals. øon trial 1
being tried in a
court of
law. 2 being tested; to be
chosen or retained
only if
suitable. trial and
error repeated (usu.
varied and unsystematic) attempts or experiments continued
until successful. trial
balance (of a
ledger in double-entry bookkeeping), a
comparison of the totals on
either side, the
inequality of
which reveals errors in posting. trial jury =
petty jury. trial
run a
preliminary test of a
vehicle,
vessel,
machine, etc. [AF trial, triel f.
trier TRY]
