#463. Experiment. -- N. experiment; essay &c. (attempt) 675; analysis &c. (investigation) 461; screen; trial, tentative method, ttonnement.
verification, probation, experimentum crucis[Lat], proof, (demonstration) 478; criterion, diagnostic, test, probe, crucial test, acid test, litmus test.
crucible, reagent, check, touchstone, pix[obs]; assay, ordeal; ring; litmus paper, curcuma paper[obs], turmeric paper; test tube; analytical instruments &c. 633.
empiricism, rule of thumb.
feeler; trial balloon, pilot balloon, messenger balloon; pilot engine; scout; straw to show the wind.
speculation, random shot, leap in the dark.
analyzer, analyst, assayist[obs]; adventurer; experimenter, experimentist[obs], experimentalist; scientist, engineer, technician.
subject, experimentee[obs], guinea pig, experimental animal.
[experimental method] protocol, experimental method, blind experiment, double-blind experiment, controlled experiment.
poll, survey, opinion poll.
epidemiological survey[Med], retrospective analysis, retrospective survey, prospective survey, prospective analysis; statistical analysis.
literature search, library research.
tryout, audition.
[results of experiment] discovery &c 480; measurement &c. 466; evidence &c. 467.
[reasoning about an experiment] deduction, induction, abduction.
V. experiment; essay &c. (endeavor) 675; try, try out, assay; make an experiment, make a trial of; give a trial to; put on trial, subject to trial; experiment upon; rehearse; put to the test, bring to the test, submit to the test, submit to the proof; prove, verify, test, touch, practice upon, try one's strength; road-test, test drive, take for a spin; test fly.
grope; feel one's way, grope for one's way; fumble, ttonner, aller ttons[Fr], put out a feeler, throw out a feeler; send up a trial balloon, send up a pilot balloon; see how the land lies, get the lay of the land, test the waters, feel out, sound out, take the pulse, see, check, check out[coll.], see how the wind blows; consult the barometer; feel the pulse; fish for, bob for; cast for, beat about for; angle, trawl, cast one's net, beat the bushes.
try one's fortune &c. (adventure) 675; explore &c. (inquire) 461.
Adj. experimental, empirical.
probative, probatory[obs], probationary, provisional; analytic, docimastic[obs]; tentative;unverified, unproven, speculative, untested.
Adv. on trial, under examination, on probation, under probation, on one's trial, on approval.
Phr. check it out, give it a try, see how it goes; "Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes."