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
trying something to find out about it; a sample for ten days free trial; a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
the act of undergoing testing; he survived the great test of battle; candidates must compete in a trial of skill
[ Syn: test ]
(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'
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications; the trials for the semifinals began yesterday'
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event; his mother-in-laws visits were a great trial for him; life is full of tribulations; a visitation of the plague
[ Syn: tribulation , visitation ]