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field trial

noun
  1. a competition among sporting dogs under natural conditions in the field, in which the animals are judged on the basis of excellence of performance in hunting.
  2. a trial of a new product or procedure to determine its efficiency or usefulness in actual performance.
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Origin of field trial

First recorded in 1840–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for field trial

Historical Examples

  • He must be prepared for the thrilling life of the field-trial dog.

    Frank of Freedom Hill

    Samuel A. Derieux

  • He told them stories of historic events in the field-trial game, and then sent them to bed.

    The Dogs of Boytown

    Walter A. Dyer

British Dictionary definitions for field trial

field trial

noun
  1. hunting a test of or contest between gun dogs to determine their proficiency and standard of training in retrieving or pointing
  2. (often plural) a test to display performance, efficiency, or durability, as of a vehicle or invention
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012