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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Laboratory \Lab"o*ra*to*ry\, 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]