laboratory

n.; pl. Laboratories [ Shortened fr. elaboratory; cf. OF. elaboratoire, F. laboratoire. See Elaborate, Labor. ] [ Formerly written also elaboratory. ] 1. The workroom of a chemist; also, a place devoted to experiments in any branch of natural science; as, a chemical, physical, or biological laboratory. Hence, by extension, a place where something is prepared, or some operation is performed; as, the liver is the laboratory of the bile. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: Any place, activity or situation suggestive of a scientific laboratory{ 1 }, especially in being conducive to learning new facts by experimentation or by systematic observation; as, the states serve as laboratories where different new policies may be tested prior to adoption throughout the country. [ PJC ]