experimental
[ik-sper-uh-men-tl]
- pertaining to, derived from, or founded on experiment: an experimental science.
- of the nature of an experiment; tentative: The new program is still in an experimental stage.
- functioning as an experiment or used for experimentation: an experimental airplane.
- based on or derived from experience; empirical: experimental knowledge.
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- something that is experimental.
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Origin of experimental
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word experīmentālis. See experiment, -al1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for experimental
Contemporary Examples
The course Jackson taught at VMI, “Natural and Experimental Philosophy,” was brutally difficult.
I made experimental commercials in the experimental division of a production house, Film X, that made commercials for ad agencies.
The Renegade: Robert Downey Sr. on His Classic Films, Son’s Battle with Drugs, and Bill CosbyMarlow Stern
November 26, 2014
“Rather than the finalized models, we display the experimental work-in-progress ones,” Migarou says.
All three are first-person works, and each could be labeled “experimental” in its own way.
Lars Iyer’s ‘Wittgenstein Jr.’ Plumbs the Deep Fun of Philosophical FictionDrew Smith
October 1, 2014
But with LSD, because it was countercultural, and because it was used as an experimental drug, it was not marketed properly.
Frances McDormand on 'Olive Kitteridge,' Dropping LSD, and Her Beef With FX's 'Fargo'Marlow Stern
September 3, 2014
Historical Examples
Edison was acquainted with two experimental facts on which to base the invention.
Heroes of the TelegraphJ. Munro
The scientific mind is not confined wholly to experimental research.
Life: Its True GenesisR. W. Wright
I've got a new idea for a battery, and I made an experimental one.
Tom Swift and his Electric RunaboutVictor Appleton
Experimental model or not, this was a nice-looking hunk of machinery.
Arm of the LawHarry Harrison
Well, if we were talking science instead of common sense, we should call that an Experimental Verification.
experimental
- relating to, based on, or having the nature of experimentan experimental study
- based on or derived from experience; empiricalexperimental evidence
- tending to experimentan experimental artist
- tentative or provisionalan experimental rule in football
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for experimental
adj.
mid 15c., "having experience," from experiment (n.) + -al (1). Meaning "based on experience" is from 1560s. Meaning "for the sake of experiment" is from 1792 (e.g. Experimental farm).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper