Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TRI'AL, n. [from try.]

1. Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining its effect, or what can be done. A man tries to lift a stone, and on trial finds he is not able. A team attempts to draw a load, and after unsuccessful trial, the attempt is relinquished.
2. Examination by a test; experiment; as in chimistry and metallurgy.
3. Experiment; act of examining by experience. In gardening and agriculture, we learn by trial, what land will produce; and often repeated trials are necessary.
4. Experience; 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 knockings and scourgings. Heb. xi.
5. In law, the examination of a cause in controversy between parties, before a proper tribunal. Trials are civil or criminal. Trial in civil causes, may be by record or inspection; it may be by witnesses and jury, or by the court. By the laws of England and of the United States, trial by jury, in criminal cases, is held sacred. No criminal can be legally deprived of that privilege.
6. Temptation; test of virtue. Every station is exposed to some trials. Rogers.
7. State of being tried. Shak.