expĕrĭentĭa, ae, f. [experior], a trial, proof, experiment (class.).
I Prop.: experientiā tentare quaedam, Varr. R. R. 1, 18, 8; Planc. ap. Cic. Fam. 10, 18, 3: patrimonii amplificandi, Cic. Rab. Post. 16, 43: belli, Vell. 2, 78, 2: veri, Ov. M. 1, 225: fide (i. e. fidei), id. ib. 7, 737.—
B Effort , endeavor : quis id approbare possit, aegritudinem suscipere pro experientia, si quid habere velis? i. e. instead of trying to acquire it , Cic. Tusc. 4, 26, 56: experientia patrimonii amplificandi labi, id. Rab. Post. 16, 43.—
II Transf., the knowledge gained by repeated trials , experimental knowledge , practice , experience (post-Aug.): ad curandi rationem nihil plus confert quam experientia, Cels. praef. med. : Agrippa non aetate neque rerum experientia tantae moli par, Tac. A. 1, 4: vir longā experientiā, id. ib. 1, 46; 13, 6; 14, 36; id. H. 2, 76; Col. 10, 338: qui cultus habendo Sit pecori; apibus quanta experientia parcis, Verg. G. 1, 4; cf.: nova hominum, id. ib. 4, 316.