Experiment — Defs

01 n. A trial or special observation, made to confirm or disprove something uncertain; esp., one under controlled conditions determined by the ex…

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.
“A political experiment can not be made in a laboratory, nor determined in a few hours.” — J. Adams.
2.
Experience.[Obs.]
“Adam, by sad experiment I know How little weight my words with thee can find.” — Milton.

02 v. t. To make experiment; to operate by test or trial; -- often with on, upon, or in, referring to the subject of an experiment; with, referring …

imp. & p. p. Experimented; p. pr. & vb. n. Experinenting

1.
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.

03 v. t. To try; to know, perceive, or prove, by trial or experience.