experience

/ik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s/

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin experientia "testing of possibilities, participation in events, skill gained by practice," noun derivative of experient-, experiens, present participle of experīrī "to put to the test, attempt, have experience of, undergo," from ex- + -perīrī, from a presumed verbal base *per- "test, risk," perhaps going back to Indo-European *pr̥h-i-

noun

  1. direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge

  2. the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation

  3. practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity

verb

  1. to have experience of : undergo

  2. to learn by experience

experienced severe hardships as a child

idiom

  1. experience and knowledge gained through living