Other forms: trials
A trial is the formal process in court that decides whether the accused is guilty. Stand trial, a fair trial, the trial began.
The right to a fair trial is a basic protection, and in Britain a serious criminal case is heard by a jury of twelve. A trial is also a test of something before full use: a clinical trial, a trial period, on trial for a fortnight. And trials are a competition — sheepdog trials, motorcycle trials. Note trial and error; and trying, which as an adjective means difficult to bear.
1nountrialThe formal court process that decides guilt.
“The trial of the two men begins at the high court next week.”
2nountestA test of something before full use.
“Patients can join a trial of the new cancer drug.”
Too few real examples of this word to estimate which sense is commonest.
trial is a testing or hearing.
Anglo-Norman trial comes from trier, to pick out or sift. Try is the same word, so a trial is literally a sifting.
Anglo-Norman
trial
Middle English
trial
English, today
trial
Built from
From Middle English trial, from Anglo-Norman trial. From Middle English trial, triall, from Anglo-Norman trial, triel, from trier (“to pick out, cull”) + -al. More at English try.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA