experimentum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛk.spɛ.riːˈmɛn.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ek.spe.riˈmɛn.tum]^[1]

Forms

experīmentum n (genitive experīmentī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from experior “to try, test” with the suffix -mentum.^[2][1][3] Pliny's manuscripts have ⟨sperim-⟩.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Lewis and Short cite Cicero's Tusculans, “this is the greatest proof, since it is agreed that grief is removed by time”.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

Lewis and Short call it mostly post-Augustan.^[5] It meant a means of testing, a trial, experiment, as in Seneca, and in Livy a person or thing serving as a test.^[2] In Sallust it meant experience of an event, and in Quintilian a demonstration, proof, example.^[2]

In British Medieval Latin it meant testing, trial, demonstration, proof.^[6] Medieval Latin also used it of information.^[7] English experiment came in the mid-14th century through Old French, as an observation, test or proof, and also a feat of magic.^[8]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a proof.^[5][4]
• 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of experience.^[2][4]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of a trial.^[2][4]
• mid-14th century – English experiment is recorded.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A test, trial, experiment; a person or thing serving as a test.^[2]
2. Experience.^[2]
3. A demonstration, proof.^[2]
4. (Medieval Latin) Information.^[7]

Related words

• experior
• experientia
• perīculum
• English experiment

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com