Trial vs. Cross — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
A trial is a formal process in a court setting to resolve legal disputes, while a cross implies a burden or a difficult phase.
Difference Between Trial and Cross
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A trial is a legal proceeding where parties involved in a dispute present evidence and arguments before a judge or jury to resolve legal issues. On the other hand, a cross typically refers to a burden or trial someone endures, often used metaphorically to describe enduring hardships or difficulties.
While trials are formal and structured, governed by legal rules and procedures, the concept of a cross is more abstract and personal, relating to individual challenges or moral struggles. Trials are part of the judicial system and aim at achieving legal justice, whereas carrying a cross involves personal endurance and is often linked to moral and spiritual tests.
Trials are public events that can affect multiple parties and have legally binding outcomes. In contrast, a cross is a private experience, with the "burden" primarily impacting the individual and possibly their immediate circle, without formal external adjudication.
In literature and common speech, trials are mentioned in contexts of legal battles, rights, and justice. On the other hand, crosses are often discussed in contexts of personal sacrifice, patience, and the human spirit's resilience against life’s adversities.
The term "trial" can also metaphorically refer to any severe testing or hardship, bridging the linguistic gap between these two concepts. However, a "cross," especially in a cultural or religious context, specifically symbolizes sacrifice and the weight of personal challenges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Legal process to resolve issues
Burden or phase of hardship
Context
Judicial, legal
Personal, metaphorical
Impact
Legally binding, public
Personal, spiritual
Formality
Structured, governed by law
Abstract, often symbolic
Common Associations
Justice, rights, courts
Sacrifice, endurance, challenges
Compare with Definitions
Trial
A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
The new software is undergoing a trial to ensure it meets our needs.
Cross
A burden or a great personal trial one must bear.
Everyone has their own cross to bear in life.
Trial
Pertaining to the testing of a person's abilities or resilience.
His first year in office was a trial by fire.
Cross
Symbolically represents suffering and sacrifice.
The character in the novel bore his cross silently, never complaining.
Trial
In law, a trial is a coming together of parties to a dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court.
Cross
Often used to signify endurance of hardships.
Her patience through these times has been a heavy cross.
Trial
A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings
The editor was summoned to stand trial for libel
The newspaper accounts of the trial
Cross
Can refer to a critical point or a mixture of blessings and curses.
Winning the lottery became a cross when his friends turned envious.
Trial
A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something
Clinical trials must establish whether the new hip replacements are working
Cross
Has strong religious connotations, particularly in Christianity.
The cross is a central symbol in Christian theology.
Trial
A person, experience, or situation that tests a person's endurance or forbearance
The trials and tribulations of married life
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally.
Trial
Test (something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance
Teachers all over the UK are trialling the materials
Cross
A mark, object, or figure formed by two short intersecting lines or pieces (+ or ×)
Place a cross against the preferred choice
Trial
(of a horse, dog, or other animal) compete in trials
The pup trialled on Saturday
Cross
An upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion.
Trial
A proceeding in which opposing parties in a dispute present evidence and make arguments on the application of the law before a judge or jury
The case is expected to go to trial.
Cross
An animal or plant resulting from cross-breeding; a hybrid
A Galloway and shorthorn cross
Trial
An instance of such a proceeding
The trial of Socrates.
Cross
A pass of the ball across the field towards the centre close to one's opponents' goal
Beckham's low cross was turned into the net by Cole
Trial
The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof
A trial of one's faith.
Cross
Go or extend across or to the other side of (an area, stretch of water, etc.)
A shadow of apprehension crossed her face
Two paths crossed the field
We crossed over the bridge
She has crossed the Atlantic twice
Trial
An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments
A clinical trial of a drug.
Cross
Pass in an opposite or different direction; intersect
The two lines cross at 90°
Trial
An effort or attempt
Succeeded on the third trial.
Cross
Draw a line or lines across; mark with a cross
Voters should ask one question before they cross today's ballot paper
Trial
A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief
"the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).
Cross
(of a person) make the sign of the cross in front of one's chest as a sign of Christian reverence or to invoke divine protection
Beatie crossed herself quickly at the mention of the dead
Trial
A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing
The child was a trial to his parents.
Cross
Pass (the ball) across the field towards the centre when attacking
He could not get to the line to cross the ball
Powell crossed from the left
Trial
A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.
Cross
Cause (an animal of one species, breed, or variety) to breed with one of another species, breed, or variety
Many animals of the breed were crossed with the closely related Guernsey
Trial
Of, relating to, or used in a trial.
Cross
Oppose or stand in the way of (someone)
No one dared cross him
Trial
Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis
A married couple on a trial separation.
Cross
Annoyed
He seemed to be very cross about something
Trial
Made or done in the course of a trial or test.
Cross
An upright post with a transverse piece near the top, on which condemned persons were executed in ancient times.
Trial
An opportunity to test something out; a test.
They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
Cross
Often Cross The cross upon which Jesus was crucified.
Trial
Appearance at judicial court in order to be examined.
Cross
A crucifix.
Trial
A difficult or annoying experience, such an experience seen as a test of faith and piety
That boy was a trial to his parents.
Cross
Any of various modifications of the cross design, such as a Latin cross or Maltese cross.
Trial
A tryout to pick members of a team.
Soccer trials
Cross
A medal, emblem, or insignia in the form of a cross.
Trial
(ceramics) A piece of ware used to test the heat of a kiln.
Cross
Cross The Christian religion; Christianity.
Trial
(UK) An internal examination set by Eton College.
Cross
(Christianity) The sign of the cross.
Trial
Pertaining to a trial or test.
Cross
A trial, affliction, or frustration.
Trial
Attempted on a provisional or experimental basis.
Cross
A mark or pattern formed by the intersection of two lines, especially such a mark (X) used as a signature.
Trial
Characterized by having three (usually equivalent) components.
Cross
A movement from one place to another, as on a stage; a crossing.
Trial
Triple.
Cross
A pipe fitting with four branches in upright and transverse form, used as a junction for intersecting pipes.
Trial
(grammar) Pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, like people; contrast singular, dual and plural. (See Ambai language for an example.)
No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.
Cross
(Biology) A plant or animal produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid.
Trial
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.
Cross
One that combines the qualities of two other things
A novel that is a cross between romance and satire.
Trial
To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.
Cross
A hook thrown over an opponent's punch in boxing.
Trial
The act of trying or testing in any manner.
Cross
A pass made into the center of the field to a player in position to score, especially in soccer.
Trial
Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.
[I] defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
Cross
(Law) An act or instance of cross-examining; a cross-examination.
Trial
The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men.
Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings.
Cross
The Southern Cross.
Trial
The act of testing by experience; proof; test.
Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions.
Cross
(Slang) A contest whose outcome has been dishonestly prearranged.
Trial
That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principles; that which tempts to evil; as, his child's conduct was a sore trial.
Every station is exposed to some trials.
Cross
To go or extend across; pass from one side of to the other
Crossed the room to greet us.
A bridge that crosses the bay.
Trial
Examination by a test; experiment, as in chemistry, metallurgy, etc.
Cross
To carry or conduct across something
Crossed the horses at the ford.
Trial
The formal examination of the matter in issue in a cause before a competent tribunal; the mode of determining a question of fact in a court of law; the examination, in legal form, of the facts in issue in a cause pending before a competent tribunal, for the purpose of determining such issue.
Cross
To extend or pass through or over; intersect
Elm Street crosses Oak Street.
Trial
(law) legal proceedings consisting of the judicial examination of issues by a competent tribunal;
Most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial
Cross
(Sports) To propel (a ball or puck) as a cross, as in soccer.
Trial
The act of testing something;
In the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately
He called each flip of the coin a new trial
Cross
To delete by drawing a line through
Crossed tasks off her list as she did them.
Trial
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications;
The trials for the semifinals began yesterday
Cross
To eliminate or dismiss as unimportant or undesirable
“He thought about Mr. Fraser and crossed him off as an unknown quantity” (Scott O'Dell).
Trial
(law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law;
He had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty
Cross
To make or put a line across
Cross and divide a circle.
Trial
Trying something to find out about it;
A sample for ten days free trial
A trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
Cross
To place crosswise one over the other
Cross one's legs.
Trial
An annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event;
His mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him
Life is full of tribulations
A visitation of the plague
Cross
To make the sign of the cross upon or over as a sign of devotion or blessing.
Trial
The act of undergoing testing;
He survived the great test of battle
Candidates must compete in a trial of skill
Cross
To encounter in passing
His path crossed mine.
Trial
A formal legal process to determine guilt or settle disputes.
The trial for the high-profile case is set for next month.
Cross
To combine the qualities of two things
A movie that crosses horror with humor.
Trial
Used metaphorically to refer to any difficult or trying experience.
The team faced a trial of endurance during the long tournament.
Cross
To interfere with; thwart or obstruct
Don't cross me.
Trial
Occurs within the judicial system.
The witness was nervous about giving testimony at the trial.
Cross
To betray or deceive; double-cross. Often used with up.
Cross
(Biology) To crossbreed or cross-fertilize (plants or animals).
Cross
(Law) To cross-examine.
Cross
To lie or pass across each other; intersect.
Cross
To move or extend from one side to another
Crossed through Canada en route to Alaska.
Cross
To make a crossing
Crossed into Germany from Switzerland.
Cross
To meet in passing; come into conjunction
Their paths crossed at the health club.
Cross
To move or be conveyed in opposite directions at the same time
Our letters must have crossed in the mail.
Cross
(Biology) To crossbreed or cross-fertilize.
Cross
Lying or passing crosswise; intersecting
A cross street.
Cross
Contrary or counter; opposing.
Cross
Showing ill humor; annoyed.
Cross
Involving interchange; reciprocal.
Cross
Crossbred; hybrid.
Cross
Crosswise.
Cross
Across.
Cross
A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other.
Put a cross for a wrong answer and a tick for a right one.
Cross
(heraldry) Any geometric figure having this or a similar shape, such as a cross of Lorraine or a Maltese cross.
Cross
A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used (especially in the Roman Empire) to execute criminals (by crucifixion).
Criminals were commonly executed on a wooden cross.
Cross
(Christianity) Usually with the: the cross on which Christ was crucified.
Cross
(Christianity) A hand gesture made in imitation of the shape of the Cross.
She made the cross after swearing.
Cross
(Christianity) A modified representation of the crucifixion stake, worn as jewellery or displayed as a symbol of religious devotion.
She was wearing a cross on her necklace.
Cross
(figurative, from Christ's bearing of the cross) A difficult situation that must be endured.
It's a cross I must bear.
Cross
The act of going across; the act of passing from one side to the other
A quick cross of the road.
Cross
(biology) An animal or plant produced by crossbreeding or cross-fertilization.
Cross
(by extension) A hybrid of any kind.
Cross
(boxing) A hook thrown over the opponent's punch.
Cross
(football) A pass in which the ball is kicked from a side of the pitch to a position close to the opponent’s goal.
Cross
A place where roads intersect and lead off in four directions; a crossroad (common in UK and Irish place names such as Gerrards Cross).
Cross
A monument that marks such a place. (Also common in UK or Irish place names such as Charing Cross)
Cross
(obsolete) A coin stamped with the figure of a cross, or that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.
Cross
Church lands.
Cross
A line drawn across or through another line.
Cross
(surveying) An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.
Cross
A pipe-fitting with four branches whose axes usually form a right angle.
Cross
(Rubik's Cube) Four edge cubies of one side that are in their right places, forming the shape of a cross.
Cross
(cartomancy) The thirty-sixth Lenormand card.
Cross
(slang) crossfire.
Cross
Transverse; lying across the main direction.
At the end of each row were cross benches which linked the rows.
Cross
(archaic) Opposite, opposed to.
His actions were perversely cross to his own happiness.
Cross
Opposing, adverse; being contrary to what one would hope or wish for.
Cross
Bad-tempered, angry, annoyed.
She was rather cross about missing her train on the first day of the job.
Please don't get cross at me. (or) Please don't get cross with me.
Cross
Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged.
Cross interrogatories
Cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other
Cross
(nautical) Of the sea, having two wave systems traveling at oblique angles, due to the wind over shifting direction or the waves of two storm systems meeting.
Cross
(archaic) across
She walked cross the mountains.
Cross
Cross product of the previous vector and the following vector.
The Lorentz force is q times v cross B.
Cross
To make or form a cross.
Cross
To place across or athwart; to cause to intersect.
She frowned and crossed her arms.
Cross
To lay or draw something across, such as a line.
To cross the letter t
Cross
To mark with an X.
Cross the box which applies to you.
Cross
To write lines of text at right angles to and over the top of one another in order to save paper.W
Cross
To make the sign of the cross over oneself.
Cross
(transitive) To make the sign of the cross over (something or someone).
Cross
To move relatively.
Cross
(transitive) To go from one side of (something) to the other.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
You need to cross the street at the lights.
Cross
(intransitive) To travel in a direction or path that will intersect with that of another.
Ships crossing from starboard have right-of-way.
Cross
(transitive) To pass, as objects going in an opposite direction at the same time.
Cross
(sports) Relative movement by a player or of players.
Cross
(social) To oppose.
Cross
(transitive) To contradict (another) or frustrate the plans of.
"You'll rue the day you tried to cross me, Tom Hero!" bellowed the villain.
Cross
To interfere and cut off ; to debar.
Cross
(legal) To conduct a cross examination; to question a hostile witness.
Cross
(biology) To cross-fertilize or crossbreed.
They managed to cross a sheep with a goat.
Cross
(transitive) To stamp or mark (a cheque) in such a way as to prevent it being cashed, thus requiring it to be deposited into a bank account.
Cross
A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T, or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the execution of criminals.
Nailed to the crossBy his own nation.
Cross
The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom.
The custom of making the sign of the cross with the hand or finger, as a means of conferring blessing or preserving from evil, is very old.
Before the cross has waned the crescent's ray.
Tis where the cross is preached.
Cross
Affiction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial; disappointment; opposition; misfortune.
Heaven prepares a good man with crosses.
Cross
A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also, that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.
I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I think you have no money in your purse.
Cross
An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a central medallion with seven arms radiating from it.
Cross
A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross; a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London.
Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillared stone,Rose on a turret octagon.
Cross
A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many varieties. See the Illustration, above.
Cross
The crosslike mark or symbol used instead of a signature by those unable to write.
Five Kentish abbesses . . . .subscribed their names and crosses.
Cross
Church lands.
Cross
A line drawn across or through another line.
Cross
A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid of any kind.
Toning down the ancient Viking into a sort of a cross between Paul Jones and Jeremy Diddler.
Cross
An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.
Cross
A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of which usually form's right angle.
Cross
Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting.
The cross refraction of the second prism.
Cross
Not accordant with what is wished or expected; interrupting; adverse; contrary; thwarting; perverse.
The cross and unlucky issue of my design.
The article of the resurrection seems to lie marvelously cross to the common experience of mankind.
We are both love's captives, but with fates so cross,One must be happy by the other's loss.
Cross
Characterized by, or in a state of, peevishness, fretfulness, or ill humor; as, a cross man or woman.
He had received a cross answer from his mistress.
Cross
Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged; as, cross interrogatories; cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other.
Cross
Athwart; across.
A fox was taking a walk one night cross a village.
Cross
To put across or athwart; to cause to intersect; as, to cross the arms.
Cross
To lay or draw something, as a line, across; as, to cross the letter t.
Cross
To pass from one side to the other of; to pass or move over; to traverse; as, to cross a stream.
A hunted hare . . . crosses and confounds her former track.
Cross
To pass, as objects going in an opposite direction at the same time.
Cross
To run counter to; to thwart; to obstruct; to hinder; to clash or interfere with.
In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing.
An oyster may be crossed in love.
Cross
To interfere and cut off; to debar.
To cross me from the golden time I look for.
Cross
To make the sign of the cross upon; - followed by the reflexive pronoun; as, he crossed himself.
Cross
To cancel by marking crosses on or over, or drawing a line across; to erase; - usually with out, off, or over; as, to cross out a name.
Cross
To cause to interbreed; - said of different stocks or races; to mix the breed of.
Cross
To lie or be athwart.
Cross
To move or pass from one side to the other, or from place to place; to make a transit; as, to cross from New York to Liverpool.
Cross
To be inconsistent.
Men's actions do not always cross with reason.
Cross
To interbreed, as races; to mix distinct breeds.
If two individuals of distinct races cross, a third is invariably produced different from either.
Cross
A wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece
Cross
Marking consisting of crossing lines
Cross
A cross as an emblem of Christianity; used in heraldry
Cross
Any affliction that causes great suffering;
That is his cross to bear
He bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns
Cross
An organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species;
A mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey
Cross
(genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
Cross
Travel across or pass over;
The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
Cross
Meet at a point
Cross
Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of;
What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
Foil your opponent
Cross
Fold so as to resemble a cross;
She crossed her legs
Cross
To cover or extend over an area or time period;
Rivers traverse the valley floor
The parking lot spans 3 acres
The novel spans three centuries
Cross
Meet and pass;
The trains crossed
Cross
Trace a line through or across;
Cross your `t'
Cross
Breed animals or plants using parents of different races and varieties;
Cross a horse and a donkey
Mendel tried crossbreeding
These species do not interbreed
Cross
Extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis;
Cross members should be all steel
From the transverse hall the stairway ascends gracefully
Transversal vibrations
Transverse colon
Cross
Perversely irritable
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of a trial?
The primary purpose of a trial is to resolve legal disputes or determine the guilt of a defendant through a formal judicial process.
How does a cross differ from a trial in everyday language?
In everyday language, a cross usually refers to personal burdens or hardships, while a trial can refer to both legal proceedings and severe tests of one's endurance or abilities.
Can the experiences of a cross be shared with others?
While the burden of a cross is primarily a personal experience, its impacts and the support from others can share its experiences indirectly.
How do trials contribute to societal justice?
Trials contribute to societal justice by ensuring that legal disputes are resolved and rights are upheld in a structured and fair manner.
How do cultural perceptions of trials and crosses differ?
Cultural perceptions of trials often focus on justice and rights within a legal framework, whereas crosses are seen through lenses of personal struggle and moral endurance.
What is the spiritual significance of a cross?
In many religious contexts, especially Christianity, a cross symbolizes sacrifice, redemption, and the moral trials of life.
Is a trial always related to legal issues?
Primarily, yes, but the term can also be used metaphorically to describe any rigorous testing or challenging situation.
What does it mean to "carry one's cross"?
To "carry one's cross" means to endure hardships, sufferings, or burdens patiently and persistently, often without external recognition or reward.
What role do trials and crosses play in shaping character?
Both trials and crosses can significantly shape a person's character, fostering resilience, determination, and moral integrity.
Can a trial become a cross for someone?
Yes, particularly if the trial involves personal hardships or emotional stress, it can become a cross that one has to bear.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Significance vs. Relevance
Next Comparison
Hit vs. BangAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
