n. [ F. expérience, L. experientia, tr. experiens, experientis, p. pr. of experiri, expertus, to try; ex out + the root of peritus experienced. See Peril, and cf. Expert. ]
She caused him to make experience
Upon wild beasts. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. P. Henry [ 1913 Webster ]
To most men experience is like the stern lights of a ship, which illumine only the track it has passed. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
When the consuls . . . came in . . . they knew soon by experience how slenderly guarded against danger the majesty of rulers is where force is wanting. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]
Those that undertook the religion of our Savior upon his preaching, had no experience of it. Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]
Whence hath the mind all the materials of reason and knowledge? To this I answer in one word, from experience. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
Experience may be acquired in two ways; either, first by noticing facts without any attempt to influence the frequency of their occurrence or to vary the circumstances under which they occur; this is observation; or, secondly, by putting in action causes or agents over which we have control, and purposely varying their combinations, and noticing what effects take place; this is experiment. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
The partial failure and disappointment which he had experienced in India. Thirwall. [ 1913 Webster ]
The youthful sailors thus with early care
Their arms experience, and for sea prepare. Harte. [ 1913 Webster ]
To experience religion (Theol.),
p. p. & a. Taught by practice or by repeated observations; skillful or wise by means of trials, use, or observation;
The ablest and most experienced statesmen. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
. (Life Insurance) A table of mortality computed from the experience of one or more life-insurance companies. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]