(investigation) 461; screen; trial, tentative method, tâtonnement.
verification, probation, experimentum crucis [Lat.], proof,
(demonstration) 478; criterion, diagnostic, test, probe, crucial test,
acid test, litmus test.
crucible, reagent, check, touchstone, pix†; assay, ordeal; ring;
litmus paper, curcuma paper†, turmeric paper; test tube; analytical
instruments &c 633.
empiricism, rule of thumb.
feeler; trial balloon, pilot balloon, messenger balloon; pilot
engine; scout; straw to show the wind.
speculation, random shot, leap in the dark.
analyzer, analyst, assayist†; adventurer; experimenter,
experimentist†, experimentalist; scientist, engineer, technician.
subject, experimentee†, guinea pig, experimental animal.
[experimental method] protocol, experimental method, blind
experiment, double-blind experiment, controlled experiment.
poll, survey, opinion poll.
epidemiological survey [Med.], retrospective analysis,
retrospective survey, prospective survey, prospective analysis;
statistical analysis.
literature search, library research.
tryout, audition.
[results of experiment] discovery &c 480; measurement &c 466;
evidence &c 467.
[reasoning about an experiment] deduction, induction, abduction.
V. experiment; essay &c (endeavor) 675; try, try out, assay; make an
experiment, make a trial of; give a trial to; put on trial, subject to
trial; experiment upon; rehearse; put to the test, bring to the test,
submit to the test, submit to the proof; prove, verify, test, touch,
practice upon, try one's strength; road-test, test drive, take for a
spin; test fly.
grope; feel one's way, grope for one's way; fumble, tâtonner,
aller â tâtons [Fr.], put out a feeler, throw out a feeler; send up a
trial balloon, send up a pilot balloon; see how the land lies, get the
lay of the land, test the waters, feel out, sound out, take the pulse,
see, check, check out [Coll.], see how the wind blows; consult the
barometer; feel the pulse; fish for, bob for; cast for, beat about for;
angle, trawl, cast one's net, beat the bushes.
try one's fortune &c (adventure) 675; explore &c (inquire) 461.
Adj. experimental, empirical.
probative, probatory†, probationary, provisional; analytic,
docimastic†; tentative; unverified, unproven, speculative, untested.
Adv. on trial, under examination, on probation, under probation, on
one's trial, on approval.
Phr. check it out, give it a try, see how it goes; Run it up the
flagpole and see who salutes