—Synonyms 2, 3, 5. examination. Trial, experiment, test imply an attempt to find out something or to find out about something. Trial is the general word for a trying of anything: articles sent for ten days' free trial. Experiment is a trial conducted to prove or illustrate the truth or validity of something, or an attempt to discover something new: an experiment in organic chemistry. Test is a more specific word, referring to a trial under approved and fixed conditions, or a final and decisive trial as a conclusion of past experiments: a test of a new type of airplane. 4. endeavor, essay, struggle. 7. grief, tribulation, distress, sorrow, trouble, hardship. See affliction.
Law Examination of evidence and applicable law by a competent tribunal to determine the issue of specified charges or claims.
The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof: a trial of one's faith.
An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments: a clinical trial of a drug.
An effort or attempt: succeeded on the third trial.
A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief: "the fiery trial through which we pass"(Abraham Lincoln).
A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing: The child was a trial to his parents.
A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.
adj.
Of, relating to, or used in a trial.
Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis: a trial separation.
Made or done in the course of a trial or test.
[Middle English triall, a testing, from Anglo-Norman trial, from trier, to sort, try.]
Synonyms: These nouns denote distress or suffering that severely tests resiliency and character: no consolation in their hour of trial; the affliction of a bereaved family; the crucible of revolution; the ordeal of being an innocent murder suspect; a time of relentless tribulation. See Also Synonyms at burden1.
1436, "act or process of testing," from Anglo-Fr. trial, noun formed from triet "to try" (see try). Sense of "examining and deciding a case in a court of law" is first recorded 1577; extended to any ordeal by 1595.
the act of testing something; "in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately"; "he called each flip of the coin a new trial" [syn: test]
2.
trying something to find out about it; "a sample for ten days free trial"; "a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain"
3.
the act of undergoing testing; "he survived the great test of battle"; "candidates must compete in a trial of skill" [syn: test]
4.
(law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law; "he had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty"; "most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial"
5.
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications; "the trials for the semifinals began yesterday"
6.
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event; "his mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him"; "life is full of tribulations"; "a visitation of the plague"
At*tempt"\, n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort. By his blindness maimed for high attempts. --Milton. Attempt to commit a crime (Law), such an intentional preparatory act as will apparently result, if not extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to effect. --Wharton. Syn: Attempt, Endeavor, Effort, Exertion, Trial. Usage: These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as, "The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us." --Shak. An endeavor is a continued attempt; as, "His high endeavor and his glad success." --Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of strength in order to carry out an attempt. Exertion is the putting forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. "It admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action without effort." --C. J. Smith. See Try.
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