Also 4–5 -yment, 6 -imente. [a. OF. experiment, ad. L. experīment-um, n. of action f. experīrī to try.]
1. The action of trying anything, or putting it to proof; a test, trial; esp. in phrases, To make, † take (an) experiment. Const. of. Now somewhat arch., and conveying some notion of sense 3.
1382. [see EXPERIENCE sb. 1 quot. 1388].
1542. Udall, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 7. Oons again to take experimente of me.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., IV. ii. 36. To make another experiment of his suspition.
1618. Wither, Motto, ‘Nec Careo’ (1633), 533. I want not much experiment to show That all is good God pleaseth to bestow.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 6. The making the first Experiment thereof at Portsmouth.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 2, ¶ 10. He may … make a cheap experiment of his abilities.
1778. Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 241. The thing was worth the experiment.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. iii. 99. A short experiment of resistance.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Napoleon, Wks. (Bohn), I. 381. Here was an experiment … of the powers of intellect without conscience.
† b. An expedient or remedy to be tried. Obs.
1586. Cogan, Haven Health (1636), 120. The water … is given to drinke … as a certaine experiment.
1657. W. Coles, Adam in Eden, lxxviii. You will find it a sure Experiment for the Quinsey.
1676. Lister, in Ray’s Corr. (1848), 124. The vinegar … from Gallium luteum, which I have tried, and is a rare experiment.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (ed. 3), I. 145. At length I found out an Experiment for that also, which was this; [etc.].
2. A tentative procedure; a method, system of things, or course of action, adopted in uncertainty whether it will answer the purpose.
1594. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits (1616), 307. Let him … cause some shepheards to try this experiment.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Innovations (Arb.), 527. It is good … not to try Experiments in States.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 194. Begin again in ten or twelve Days … to make Experiments.
1874. Green, Short Hist., viii. 582. Puritanism … as a political experiment … had ended in utter failure.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 72. The experiment had never been tried of reasoning with mankind.
3. An action or operation undertaken in order to discover something unknown, to test a hypothesis, or establish or illustrate some known truth.
a. in science.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 157. Experimentis of Alconomye Of Alberdes makynge, Nigromancye and perimancie.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 7 (MS. A.). Confermynge my wordis … wiþ experiment þat I have longe tyme used.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., in Ashm. (1652), 189. Many Experyments I have had in hond.
1594. Plat (title), Diuers new and conceited experiments, from the which there may be sundry both pleasing and profitable vses drawne.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xii. § 10. 326. A Man accustomed to rational and regular Experiments, shall be able [etc.].
1717. J. Keill, Anim. Oecon. (1738), 47. An Observation or Experiment carefully made … leads us with greater Certainty to the Solution.
1842. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (1850), 50. If the experiment be performed in an exhausted receiver, or in nitrogen, the substance forming the electrodes is condensed.
b. gen. (transf.)
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. 12. The gathering of principles out of their owne particular experiments.
1750. Hume, Lib. & Necess., 134. These records of wars [etc.] are so many collections of experiments, by which the politician … fixes the principles of his science.
† c. The object experimented on; the subject of an experiment. Obs. rare.
a. 1678. Marvell, Let. Sir J. Trott, Wks. I. 431. Where you yourselves are the experiment.
4. The process or practice of conducting such operations; experimentation.
1678. R. R[ussell], Geber, III. II. I. viii. 161. This is proved by Experiment.
1751. Watts, Improv. Mind, i. § 4 (1801), 17. This sort of observation is called experiment.
1794. J. Hutton, Philos. Light, etc. 117. Experiment is the wise design of a scientific mind, inquiring after the order of events.
1830. Sir J. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., 76. By putting in action causes and agents over which we have control, and purposely varying their combinations, and noticing what effect takes place; this is experiment.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. v. 462. Experiment … is merely experience artificially modified.
† 5. Practical acquaintance with a person or thing; experience; an instance of this. Const. of.
1560. Rolland, Crt. Venus, II. 662. He thairof had na experiment.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 101. Of his qualities and good behauiour [I] haue had sound and large experiment.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. lxxv. 113. I know by som experiments which I have had of you.
1699. Bentley, Phal., Pref. 4. I speak from Experiment.
1741. Middleton, Cicero (ed. 3), II. VII. 255. This first experiment of Cæsar’s clemency.
† 6. Practical proof; a specimen, an example.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 209 b. By apparicyons and many argumentes and experymentes … he appered to his discyples.
1578. Timme, Calvin on Gen., 264. This is a true experiment of our obedience.
a. 1628. Preston, New Covt. (1629), 302. I will giue you an experiment of it; you shall see two notable examples of it.
1684. trans. Eutropius, VII. 117. [He] could not shew any experiment of himself in his Reign; for … when he was beat in a Skirmish…: He kill’d himself.
