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v. prac·ticed, prac·tic·ing, prac·tic·es v.tr. 1. To do or perform habitually or customarily; make a habit of: practices courtesy in social situations. 2. To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill: practice a dance step. 3. To give lessons or repeated instructions to; drill: practiced the students in handwriting. 4. To work at, especially as a profession: practice law. 5. To carry out in action; observe: practices a religion piously. 6. Obsolete To plot (something evil). v.intr. 1. To do something repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill: With any musical instrument, you need to practice to get better. 2. To work at a profession: How long has that lawyer been practicing? 3. To do or perform something habitually or repeatedly: Why not practice in the same manner that you preach? 4. Archaic To intrigue or plot. n. 1. A habitual or customary action or way of doing something: makes a practice of being punctual. 2. a. Repeated performance of an activity in order to learn or perfect a skill: Practice will make you a good musician. b. A session of preparation or performance undertaken to acquire or polish a skill: goes to piano practice weekly; scheduled a soccer practice for Saturday. c. Archaic The skill so learned or perfected. d. The condition of being skilled through repeated exercise: out of practice. 3. The act or process of doing something; performance or action: a theory that is difficult to put into practice. 4. Exercise of an occupation or profession: the practice of law. 5. The business of a professional person: an obstetrician with her own practice. 6. A habitual or customary action or act: That company engages in questionable business practices. Facial tattooing is a standard practice among certain peoples. 7. Law The procedure for trial of cases in a court of law, usually specified by rules. 8. Archaic a. The act of tricking or scheming, especially with malicious intent. b. A trick, scheme, or intrigue. [Middle English practisen, from Old French practiser, alteration of practiquer, from practique, practice, from Medieval Latin prāctica; see PRACTICABLE.] practic·er n. Synonyms: practice, exercise, rehearse These verbs mean to do repeatedly to acquire or maintain proficiency: practice the shot put; exercising one's wits; rehearsed the play for 14 days. See Also Synonyms at habit. |
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