Tri"al (?), n. [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.