I.a trial, attempt, essay, experiment, Theogn., Soph., etc.; —πεῖραν ἔχειν to be proved, Pind.; but, πεῖραν ἔχειν τινός to have experience of a thing, Xen.; π. ἔχει τῆς γνώμης involves a trial of your resolution, Thuc.; —πεῖράν τινος λαμβάνειν to make trial or proof of . . , Xen., etc.: —πεῖράν τινος διδόναι, Lat. specimen sui edere, Thuc.
2.with Preps., ἀπὸ πείρης by experiment, Hdt.: —εἰς πεῖράν τινος ἔρχεσθαι, ἰέναι Eur., Thuc.: —ἐν πείρᾳ τινὸς γίγνεσθαι to be acquainted with, associate with one, Xen.: —ἐπὶ πείρᾳ by way of test or trial, Ar.
II.an attempt on or against one, c. gen., Soph.
III.generally, an attempt, enterprise, Aesch., Soph.