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Etymology edit

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun edit

trial and error (usually uncountable, plural trials and errors)

  1. The process of finding a solution to a problem by trying many possible solutions and learning from mistakes until success is attained.
    Navigating by trial and error may get you there eventually, but using a map is faster.
    • 2018 October 9, A. A. Dowd, “The Star and Director of La La Land Reunite for First Man’s Spectacular Trip to the Moon”, in The A.V. Club[1], archived from the original on 16 June 2020:
      Trial and error was a big part of the process: "We need to fail down here so we don't fail up there," [Neil] Armstrong insists, though even some of the mistakes and malfunctions at ground level cause devastating casualties.

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