trial
UK: ˈtraɪəl | US: ˈtraɪəl
n. a formal examination of evidence in a court of law
n. a test of performance, quality, or suitability
n. an experience or period of difficulty
vt. to test something experimentally
trial = tri<three> + al<noun suffix>
- tri<three>: From Latin tria (three), reflecting the historical practice of triple testing or judging (e.g., threefold examination in medieval law).
- al<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns of action or result (e.g., arrival, refusal).
Etymology Origin:
The word trial originates from the Anglo-French triel (13th century), derived from Latin trialis, linked to tria (three). Its legal sense reflects medieval customs where evidence was often evaluated three times (e.g., by oath, ordeal, or combat). Over time, it generalized to mean any test or challenging experience.
The defendant faced a lengthy trial for the alleged crime.
The new drug is undergoing clinical trials.
She described her divorce as an emotional trial.
The company decided to trial the software with a small group.
His patience was put to the trial during the delay.