[f. prec. sb.]
I. † 1. trans. To make trial or experiment of; to put to the test; to test, try. Obs.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe, III. vi. (1541), 62 a–b. For in extreme necessitie, it were better experyence some remedy, than to do nothynge.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, II. III. 195. Alexander … experienc’d him in some intricate business, and found him a person of worth.
1681. Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m., iv. § 14 (1689), 46. Having never experienced them for these Fish, I dare not be positive.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scot. in 1772, 427. Persuade their governors to experience their zeal.
1780. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 200. That the expences of the Sessions dinners … be experienced for a few Sessions.
† b. To ascertain or prove by experiment or observation; chiefly with sentence as obj. Also rarely, To prove or reveal (a thing) to (a person) by experience. Obs.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1541), G iij b. I my selfe haue often experienced, the best remedy is [etc.].
1656–7. Burton’s Diary (1828), I. 333. This Quartermaster … had one hundred good horses in town … for what purpose time will experience.
1690. Lady Russell, Lett., cxvi. II. 80. This trial has … experienced to me my sad weakness.
1750. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 82. It has been experienced, that if it be hung about the Neck, it cures the Epilepsy.
2. To have experience of; to meet with; to feel, suffer, undergo.
1588. R. Parke, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 349. [He] declared vnto them (as one that had experienced the same) the rewarde of that good deede.
1645. Saltmarsh, Open. Prynne’s New Bk., 3. We experience in part some remainders of Prelacy. Ibid. (1646), Smoke in Temple, 56. [The author defends his use of the verb (see prec. quot.) on the ground that useful neologisms are permissible].
1736. Butler, Anal., I. ii. Wks. 1874, I. 45. The whole passage is … applicable to what we experience in the present world.
1773. J. Allen, Serm. St. Mary’s Oxf., 25. They who experience his loving kindness.
1847. Mrs. A. Kerr, trans. Ranke’s Hist. Servia, 334. He was himself soon to experience a similar fate.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xviii. 129. I experienced no trace of mountain sickness, lassitude, shortness of breath, heart-beat, or headache.
b. To learn (a fact) by experience; to find. With direct obj. and compl. inf., or with sentence as obj. Now rare.
1580. Sir P. Sidney, Arcadia (1613), 207. Pamela … had now experienced how much care doth sollicite a lovers heart.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. iii. 46. The divine Government, which we experience Ourselves under in the present State.
1739. Labelye, Short Acc. Piers Westm. Bridge, 63. That River is experienced not rapid enough to occasion any Damage to the Piers of those Bridges.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), III. 621. I then experienced what I knew before hand, that there are [etc.].
1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls., I. 88. I have experienced that a landscape and the sky unfold the deepest beauty.
c. transf. Of a thing: To meet with, undergo.
1786. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 24. The treaties … have experienced greater delay than was expected.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. 217. Holland often experiences a degree of cold greater than countries placed under higher latitudes.
1828. J. M. Spearman, Brit. Gunner (ed. 2), 198. The resistance experienced by the base of the cone.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, II. XII. 420. His bodily strength was … visibly experiencing decay.
d. To experience religion: to be converted. U.S.
a. 1852. Mrs. Whitcher, Widow Bedott Papers (1883), xx. 80. He was a wonderful pious pedlar … had jest experienced religion.
1868. O. W. Holmes, Guard. Angel, xii. Some went so far as to doubt if she had ever experienced religion, for all she was a professor.
1890. Kate D. Wiggin, Timothy’s Quest, 136. Land sakes! you ’d think nobody ever experienced religion afore, he ’s so set up ’bout it.
† II. 3. a. To give experience to; to make experienced; to train (soldiers). Also, in passive: To be informed or taught by experience (Const. of, or with subord. clause). Obs.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden), I. 64. Well experienced that mistruste or confidence depended on the first casualltie of the battaile.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 249. The Foot-men … being experienced to run suddenly with the Horse men, leaped into the battail.
1612. W. Parkes, Curtaine-Dr. (1876), 33. Whom no tryall can experience, whom no de[s]truction can forewarne.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 509. Able to heare of Cupid, though not (it may be) experienced by wound of his force.
1627. Sir R. Cotton, Short View, in Phenix, I. 70. The King, by this experienced of the intents of his rebellious lords, and finding [etc.].
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 567. Experience thy Soule in the comforts of Christs dying.
† b. To gain experience in, practise the use of (arms). Obs. rare.
1727. W. Harte, Statius’ 6th Thebaid, 24. The youthful sailors … Their arms experience, and for sea prepare.
