the act of trying or testing in any manner.-any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.-the act of testing by experience; proof; test.-examination by a test; experiment, as in chemistry, metallurgy, etc.-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.-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.-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.