practices

Multiple Entries:
  practice    practise  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
practice/ˈpraktɪs/

▶noun

• 1 the actual application or use of a plan or method, as opposed to the theories relating to it.

• 2 the customary or expected procedure or way of doing something.

• 3 the practising of a profession.

  ■ the business or premises of a doctor or lawyer.

• 4 the action or process of practising.

▶verb US spelling of practise.

– phrases
in (or out of) practice having (or not having) practised an activity or skill on a regular basis.

– origin ME: from practise, on the pattern of pairs such as advise, advice.

usage: Note that practice is the correct spelling for the noun in both British and US English, and is also the spelling of the verb in US English. However, in British English the verb should be spelled practise.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
practise /ˈpraktɪs/ (US practice)

▶verb

• 1 perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to acquire, maintain, or improve proficiency in it.

• 2 carry out or perform (an activity or custom) habitually or regularly.

• 3 be engaged in (a particular profession).

• 4 observe the teaching and rules of (a particular religion).

• 5 archaic scheme or plot for an evil purpose.

– derivatives
practised adjective,
practiser noun.

– origin ME: from OFr. practiser or med. L. practizare, alt. of practicare ‘perform, carry out’, from practica ‘practice’, from Gk praktikē, from praktikos (see practical).

usage: On the difference between practise and practice, see usage at practice.