I. verb
also prac·tise ˈprak-təs
( prac·ticed also prac·tised ; prac·tic·ing also prac·tis·ing )
Etymology: Middle English practisen, from Middle French practiser, from Medieval Latin practizare, alteration of practicare, from practica practice, noun, from Late Latin practice, from Greek praktikē, from feminine of praktikos
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : carry out , apply
practice what you preach
b. : to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually
practice politeness
c. : to be professionally engaged in
practice medicine
2.
a. : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient
practice the act
b. : to train by repeated exercises
practice pupils in penmanship
3. obsolete : plot
intransitive verb
1. : to do repeated exercises for proficiency
2. : to pursue a profession actively
3. archaic : intrigue
4. : to do something customarily
5. : to take advantage of someone
he practised on their credulity with huge success — Times Literary Supplement
• prac·tic·er noun
II. noun
also practise
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : actual performance or application
ready to carry out in practice what they advocated in principle
b. : a repeated or customary action
had this irritating practice
c. : the usual way of doing something
local practice s
d. : the form, manner, and order of conducting legal suits and prosecutions
2.
a. : systematic exercise for proficiency
practice makes perfect
b. : the condition of being proficient through systematic exercise
get in practice
3.
a. : the continuous exercise of a profession
b. : a professional business ; especially : one constituting an incorporeal property
Synonyms: see habit