Definition of experiment

The word "experiment" has its roots in Latin and Old French. The Latin word "experiri" means "to try, experience, or test" and is the source of the English word "experiment". In the 14th century, the Old French word "experiment" emerged, derived from the Latin "experiri" and the Latin suffix "-imentum", which indicated a process or action. The first recorded use of the English word "experiment" dates back to the 15th century, during the Scientific Revolution. The term initially referred to a personal experience or trial, but as scientific inquiry developed, it came to mean a deliberate attempt to test or prove a hypothesis or theory. Over time, the scope of the word "experiment" expanded to include various fields, such as medicine, psychology, and engineering, and is now widely used to describe any deliberate, systematic investigation or trial.