I. verb
or prac·tise ˈpraktə̇s
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English practisen, from Middle French practiser, pratiser, from practique, pratique practice + -iser -ize — more at practic
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to make use of : use , employ
b. : frequent , haunt
2.
a. : to exercise oneself in for instruction or improvement or for the acquisition of discipline, proficiency, or dexterity
practiced the piano every day
b. : to exercise (another) in something for similar purposes : train , drill
practicing the children in penmanship
3.
a. archaic : to carry on or engage in (an activity or process)
b. obsolete
(1) : to work out (as a sum)
(2) : to act in (a play)
c. : to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually : make a practice of : engage regularly in
practice politeness and grace
4.
a. obsolete : to put (as a law) into effect
b. : to give practical expression to : act in a manner consonant with
a man who practices the religion that he preaches
c. : to follow (as an art, profession, or trade) as a way of life : be professionally engaged in
practiced medicine for 40 years
5. obsolete
a. : to bring about : be responsible for : cause to take place
b. : to scheme to bring about : plan , plot
c. : to make an effort (as to do or cause something) : try
6. archaic : construct
intransitive verb
1. : act , operate , proceed
2. : to perform an act often or customarily in order to acquire proficiency or skill
practice with the broadsword
practice on the piano
3. : to exercise or pursue an employment or profession (as medicine or law) actively
4. archaic
a. : to plan or scheme especially for a bad purpose : use or try artifices or stratagems : plot , intrigue
he will practice against thee by poison — Shakespeare
b. : to deal or treat with someone especially for the purpose of influencing or winning over : negotiate
5. : to do something habitually
practicing is better than preaching
Synonyms:
practice , exercise , and drill can mean in common to perform or cause to perform an act or series of acts repeatedly, especially for the purpose of attaining dexterity. practice stresses doing, especially habitually, regularly, or over and over, commonly for the attainment of skill
practice good deeds
practicing horrible customs — Sociology & Social Research
practice scales on the piano
practice golf strokes
exercise stresses a keeping in action or use and usually presupposes a power which can be developed or strengthened by activity or manifest in practice
exercise responsibility for the public safety while driving
the reader is being asked to exercise taste — William Empson
the power now contested was exercised by the first Congress — John Marshall
It commonly also signifies practice of physical movement of some kind specifically for the attainment of health or physical vigor
exercise each morning by walking to work
drill connotes an intention of fixing physical or mental habits by repetition as of group movements in unison or grammatical rules
drill a class in the fundamentals of table manners
drill a group of army recruits in the manual of arms
The distinctions between the nouns practice , exercise , and drill may be derived from the distinctions between the corresponding verb uses
the practice of witchcraft
the exercise of reason
an exercise for developing the shoulders
drill in the manual of arms
a drill in grammatical rules
II. noun
also practise “
( -s )
1.
a. obsolete
(1) : performance or operation of something : execution
(2) : a mode of acting or proceeding
b. : actual performance or application of knowledge as distinguished from mere possession of knowledge : performance or application habitually engaged in ; usually : repeated or customary action : usage
the practice of rising early or working hard
c.
(1) : the usual mode or method of doing something
the practice is to use a local anesthetic
(2) practices plural : habitual conduct that is socially, ethically, or otherwise unacceptable
the unwholesome practices of folk medicine
departing these evil practices
2.
a.
(1) obsolete : skillful or artful management : dexterity in contrivance or the use of means
(2) : treacherous contriving ; also : scheme , plot
b. archaic
(1) : negotiation
(2) : intrigue
c. archaic : the act of using artifice or influence upon : imposing or working upon
3.
a. : systematic exercise for instruction or discipline
troops called out for practice
practice makes perfect
daily piano practice
b. archaic
(1) : a practical treatise
(2) : practical proficiency or skill acquired by systematic action or exercise
this disease is beyond my practice — Shakespeare
4.
a. : the exercise of a profession or occupation
the practice of law
b. : professional business or work especially as an incorporeal property
a lucrative practice
sold his practice
5. : the form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages according to law
Synonyms: see habit
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- in practice
- out of practice