Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - trial

 I. noun  Etymology: Anglo-French, from trier to try  Date: 15th century  1.  a. the action or process of trying or putting to the proof ; test  b. a preliminary contest (as in a sport)  2. the formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue  3. a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation; broadly a source of vexation or annoyance  4.  a. a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness — compare clinical ~  b. one of a number of repetitions of an experiment  5. attempt  II. adjective  Date: 1555  1. of, relating to, or used in a ~  2. made or done as a test or experiment  3. used or tried out in a test or experiment