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a posteriori

 - 2 dictionary results

a pos⋅te⋅ri⋅o⋅ri

  [ey po-steer-ee-awr-ahy, -ohr-ahy, -awr-ee, -ohr-ee]
Use a posteriori in a Sentence
–adjective
1. from particular instances to a general principle or law; based upon actual observation or upon experimental data: an a posteriori argument that derives the theory from the evidence. Compare a priori (def. 1).
2. not existing in the mind prior to or independent of experience. Compare a priori (def. 2).
Origin:
1615–25; < L: lit., from the one behind. See a- 4 , posterior
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To a posteriori
a pos·te·ri·o·ri   (ä' pŏ-stîr'ē-ôr'ē, -ôr'ī, -ōr'ē, -ōr'ī, ā')   
adj.  

  1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes; inductive; empirical.

    1. Justified by appeal to experience.

    2. Knowable from experience.


[Medieval Latin : Latin a, from + Latin posteriorī, ablative of posterior, later.]
a' pos·te'ri·o'ri adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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