trial and error

trial and error
The apparently random, haphazard, hit-or-miss exploratory activity which often precedes the acquisition of new information or adjustments; it may be overt, as in a rat running in a maze, or covert (vicarious), as when one thinks of various ways of coping with a situation.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

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  • Trial and error — Trial and error, or trial by error, is a general method of problem solving for obtaining knowledge, both propositional knowledge and know how. In the field of computer science, the method is called generate and test. In elementary algebra, when… …   Wikipedia

  • trial and error — ► a way of achieving something or solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes you make: »Although some products quality can be verified through trial and error, this is not always practical. → See also …   Financial and business terms

  • trial and error — ri al and er ror The method of discovering something desirable by trying many different things until one works; as, the traditional method of finding new drugs is by trial and error. [PJC] And millions miss for one that hits. Swift. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • trial and error — n. the process of making repeated trials or tests, improving the methods used in the light of errors made, until the right result is found trial and error adj …   English World dictionary

  • trial and error — ► trial and error the process of experimenting with various methods until one finds the most successful. Main Entry: ↑trial …   English terms dictionary

  • trial and error — trial and error, adj. experimentation or investigation in which various methods or means are tried and faulty ones eliminated in order to find the correct solution or to achieve the desired result or effect. [1800 10] * * * …   Universalium

  • trial and error — noun experimenting until a solution is found (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑experiment, ↑experimentation * * * noun : a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and …   Useful english dictionary

  • Trial and Error — Tri|al and Er|ror 〈[traıəl ənd ɛ̣rə(r)] n.; ; unz.; Päd.; Verhaltensforschung〉 Methode der Problemlösung u. des Lernens, bei der eine Aufgabe nicht durch strategische Vorüberlegung, sondern durch wiederholtes Ausprobieren verschiedener… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • trial-and-error — adjective 1. trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminated he argued that all learning is a trial and error process that resembles biological evolution • Similar to: ↑empirical, ↑empiric 2. relating to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • trial and error —    Attempting to achieve a satisfactory result by testing and eliminating various methods until the best one is found is called trial and error.     Some of the best cooks learn by trial and error …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • trial and error — {n.} A way of solving problems by trying different possible solutions until you find one that works. * /John found the short circuit by trial and error./ * /The only way Tom could solve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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