Trī'al, n.
n. [O. Fr. trial, triel. See TRY.]
Sense 1. The act of trying or testing in any manner; specifically, (a.) Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what it is capable of effecting. (b.) The act of testing by experience; experiment. “Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions or things.” Wilkins. (c.) Examination by a test; experiment; as in chemistry, metallurgy, and the like.
Sense 2. That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principle; that which tempts to evil. “The trial of mortal fight.” Milton.
Every station is exposed to some trials. Rogers.
Sense 3. The state of being tried or tempted; suffering that puts strength, patience, or 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. xi. 36.
Sense 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.
Synonyms—Test; attempt; endeavor; effort; experiment; proof; essay. See TEST and ATTEMPT.