I. ik|sperə|ment ə l, ÷-pir-, ek|-, ˌekˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin experimentalis, from Latin experimentum + -alis -al
1. : of, relating to, or based on experience : empirical
misgivings, intensified … by experimental knowledge of the difficulties to be overcome, seem to hem me in — Arnold Bennett
2.
a. : founded on, derived from, or discovered by experiment
the heart of the experimental method is the direct control of the thing studied — B.F.Skinner
b. : given to or skilled in experiment
experimental philosophers could only indicate how gravity operated — S.F.Mason
3.
a. : serving the ends of or used as a means of experimentation
experimental animals
the experimental theater
an experimental school
b. of a disease : intentionally produced especially in laboratory animals for the purpose of study
experimental tuberculosis
4. : relating to or having the characteristics of experiment : tentative
experimental flights will start this autumn — in fact, almost as soon as the two machines can be fitted with floats — London Calling
free verse is not yet out of the experimental stage — J.L.Lowes
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : something learned by experience
as to experimentals … a mere novice — Samuel Richardson
2.
a. : something experimental
don't try experimentals until you've had plenty of experience with the straight radio play — Josephina Niggli
b. : a plant or animal used in an experiment — compare control