experimentalis

Forms

experīmentālis (neuter experīmentāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin experīmentum (“trial, proof; experience”) + -ālis.^[2] Köbler refers it to the medieval verb experīmentō (“to test”) instead.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first author is Albert the Great, who speaks of experimental knowledge and of what is found out by experience.^[4][3]

Semantic evolution

It was a word of scholastic philosophy and science, meaning “resting on experience or observation”.^[4][3] Roger Bacon names a scientia experimentālis, which does not trust arguments unless the conclusion is also tested by experience;^[5] Thomas Aquinas speaks of certitūdō, cognitiō, nōtitia, scientia and vīsiō experimentālis.^[6] John Peckham uses it in a letter of 1281.^[5] In theology it was used of the experience of God: in a Hungarian text by Pelbart, God gives such people experimental knowledge of himself.^[7] Polish texts of the 15th and 16th centuries use it often, of evidence, knowledge and proof.^[2] The adverb experīmentāliter, “by experience”, is also in Albert.^[4]

Timeline

• 13th century – Albert the Great uses it of experimental knowledge.^[4][3]
• 3rd quarter of 13th century – Thomas Aquinas speaks of experimental certainty and knowledge.^[6][3]
• 1281 – John Peckham uses it in a letter.^[5]
• 1455 – A Polish record speaks of experimental evidence.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Based on experience or observation, experimental.^[4][5][3]
2. (Medieval Latin) Done or gained by experience.^[7][2]

Word family

• experīmentāliter

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d e Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c d Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh
7. ^ a b Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE