Definition: practice

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

practice
     n 1: a customary way of operation or behavior; "it is their
          practice to give annual raises"; "they changed their
          dietary pattern" [syn: pattern]
     2: systematic training by multiple repetitions; "practice makes
        perfect" [syn: exercise, drill, practice session]
     3: translating an idea into action; "a hard theory to put into
        practice"; "differences between theory and praxis of
        communism" [syn: praxis]
     4: the exercise of a profession; "the practice of the law"; "I
        took over his practice when he retired"
     5: knowledge of how something is customarily done: "it is not
        the local practice to wear shorts to dinner"
     v 1: learn by repetition [syn: drill, exercise, practise]
     2: avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a
        religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use
        your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"
        [syn: apply, use]
     3: carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions: "practice
        law" [syn: practise, exercise, do]
     4: engage in a rehearsal (of) [syn: rehearse, practise]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Practice \Prac"tice\, n. [OE. praktike, practique, F. pratique,
   formerly also, practique, LL. practica, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?
   practical. See Practical, and cf. Pratique, Pretty.]
   1. Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual
      performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind;
      usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early;
      the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the
      practice of daily exercise.
Practice \Prac"tice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Practiced; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Practicing.] [Often written practise, practised,
   practising.]
   1. To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually;
      to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. ``Incline
      not my heart . . . practice wicked works.''
Practice \Prac"tice\, v. i. [Often written practise.]
   1. To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either
      for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice
      with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the
      piano.