experimentalize
Extremely rareTechnical/Scientific (highly specialized)
Definition
Meaning
To engage in or perform experiments; to make experimental.
To treat something as an experimental subject or process; to apply experimental methods.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly found in 19th century scientific writing. Its use is largely historical and it carries a strong connotation of active, hands-on experimentation rather than theoretical investigation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, formal, slightly quaint.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary English in either region.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] experimentalize (with/on [Object])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms use this word)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusively historical references in the history of science.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Extremely rare, only in historical technical texts discussing early scientific method.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Victorian naturalists would often experimentalize with electrical apparatus in their home laboratories.
- He felt free to experimentalise on the chemical compounds, noting each reaction meticulously.
American English
- The early physicists sought to experimentalize with light and prisms.
- They were encouraged to experimentalize on different alloys to find a stronger metal.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; use 'experimentally' instead)
American English
- (Not standard; use 'experimentally' instead)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; use 'experimental' instead)
American English
- (Not standard; use 'experimental' instead)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (This word is not suitable for A2 level.)
- (This word is not recommended for B1 level.)
- Scientists in the 1800s would often experimentalize with basic chemicals.
- The book described how early doctors began to experimentalize with new surgical techniques.
- The philosophy of the era was not merely to observe nature, but to actively experimentalize upon it.
- His license to experimentalize with unconventional methodologies led to several serendipitous discoveries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EXPERIMENT-al-ize. To make (ize) something into an experiment (experiment-al).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A PRODUCT OF MANIPULATION (to experimentalize is to physically work with materials to produce knowledge).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'экспериментировать' (to experiment), which is the common modern equivalent. 'Experimentalize' is an archaic English verb form.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern writing sounds unnatural. Using it as a synonym for 'innovate' or 'modernize'. Incorrectly forming past tense as 'experimentalized' (correct, but archaic).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, the word 'experimentalize' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic verb derived from 'experimental', primarily used in 19th-century scientific writing. It is not used in contemporary English.
'Experiment' is the standard, common verb. 'Experimentalize' is an archaic synonym that emphasizes the act of making something experimental or engaging in experimentation as a process.
No. It is obsolete. Use 'experiment', 'conduct experiments', or 'adopt an experimental approach' instead.
Yes, 'experimentalise' is the British English spelling variant, but like 'experimentalize', it is equally archaic and unused.
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