What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Trial or Trail - What's the difference?

trial | trail |

Trail is a anagram of trial.



As nouns the difference between trial and trail

is that trial is an opportunity to test something out; a test while trail is the track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.

As verbs the difference between trial and trail

is that trial is to carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it while trail is to follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).

As an adjective trial

is pertaining to a trial or test.

As a proper noun Trail is

a city in British Columbia.

trial

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) trial, from . More at try.

Noun

(wikipedia trial) (en noun)
  • an opportunity to test something out; a test.
  • They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
  • appearance at judicial court.
  • a difficult or annoying experience
  • That boy was a trial to his parents

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Pertaining to a trial or test.
  • Attempted on a provisional or experimental basis.
  • Verb

  • To carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it.
  • The warning system was extensively trialed before being fitted to all our vehicles.
  • To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
  • The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.

    Derived terms

    * put on trial * trial and error * trial by combat * trial by fire * trial balloon * triality

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) trialis, an adjective formed from .

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Characterized by having three (usually equivalent) components.
  • Triple.
  • (grammar) pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, as people; contrast singular'', ''dual'' and ''plural .
  • No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.

    See also

    *

    trail

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
  • (label) To drag (something) behind on the ground.
  • * 1922 , (Virginia Woolf), (w, Jacob's Room) Chapter 1
  • "I saw your brother—I saw your brother," he said, nodding his head, as Archer lagged past him, trailing his spade, and scowling at the old gentleman in spectacles.
  • (label) To leave (a trail of).
  • (label) To show a trailer of (a film, TV show etc.); to release or publish a preview of (a report etc.) in advance of the full publication.
  • To be losing, to be behind in a competition.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 29, author=Keith Jackson, work=Daily Record
  • , title= SPL: Celtic 1 Rangers 0 , passage=Neil Lennon and his players have, in almost no time at all, roared back from trailing Rangers by 15 points in November to ending the year two points clear.}}
  • (label) To carry (a firearm) with the breech near the ground and the upper part inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.
  • To flatten (grass, etc.) by walking through it; to tread down.
  • (Longfellow)
  • (label) To take advantage of the ignorance of; to impose upon.
  • * (1816-1855)
  • I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance.

    Derived terms

    * trailer * trail off

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
  • A route for travel over land, especially a narrow, unpaved pathway for use by hikers, horseback riders, etc.
  • A trailer broadcast on television for a forthcoming film or programme.
  • Synonyms

    * (track of an animal) spoor, sign * (route for travel over land) dirt track, footpath, path, track

    Derived terms

    * condensation trail, contrail * paper trail * sawdust trail * star trail * trail bike * trailblazer (see blazer) * trailblazing * trail mix * vapo(u)r trail

    See also

    * path * track

    Anagrams

    * * ----