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 doubtful; esp., one under 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 suggest or known truth; practical test; poof.
A political experiment can not be made in a laboratory, not determinant 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.
© Webster 1913.
Ex*per"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.
© Webster 1913.
Ex*per"i*ment, v.t
, To try; to know, perceive, or prove, by trial experience.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Herbert.
© Webster 1913.