experiment

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: experimentationtry out

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. the act of conducting a controlled test or investigationSynonyms: experimentation
  2. the testing of an idea“it was an experiment in living”“not all experimentation is done in laboratories”Synonyms: experimentation
  3. a venture at something new or different“as an experiment he decided to grow a beard”

Verb (2)

  1. to conduct a test or investigation“We are experimenting with the new drug in order to fight this disease”
  2. try something new, as in order to gain experience“Students experiment sexually”“The composer experimented with a new style”Synonyms: try out
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Experiment \Ex*per"i*ment\, v. t. To try; to know, perceive, or prove, by trial or experience. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert. [1913 Webster]
Experiment \Ex*per"i*ment\, n. [L. experimentum, fr. experiri to try: cf. OF. esperiment, experiment. See Experience.]

1.A trial or special observation, made to confirm or disprove something uncertain; esp., one under controlled conditions determined by the experimenter; an act or operation undertaken in order to discover some unknown principle or effect, or to test, establish, or illustrate some hypothesis, theory, or known truth; practical test; proof. [1913 Webster]

A political experiment can not be made in a laboratory, nor determined in a few hours.— J. Adams.[1913 Webster]

2.Experience. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Adam, by sad experiment I know How little weight my words with thee can find.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Experiment \Ex*per"i*ment\ ([e^]ks*p[e^]r"[i^]*ment), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Experimented; p. pr. & vb. n. Experinenting.] To make experiment; to operate by test or trial; -- often with on, upon, or in, referring to the subject of an experiment; with, referring to the instrument; and by, referring to the means; as, to experiment upon electricity; he experimented in plowing with ponies, or by steam power. [1913 Webster]
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