empirical
Use Empirical in a sentence
ɪ adjective
1.
derived from or guided by experience or experiment.
2.
depending upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory, especially as in medicine.
3.
provable or verifiable by experience or experiment.
Related forms
em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
em·pir·i·cal·ness, noun
an·ti·em·pir·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·em·pir·i·cal, adjective
non·em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
o·ver·em·pir·i·cal, adjective
o·ver·em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
sem·i·em·pir·i·cal, adjective
sem·i·em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·em·pir·i·cal, adjective
un·em·pir·i·cal·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1, 2. practical, firsthand, pragmatic.
1, 2. practical, firsthand, pragmatic.
Antonyms
1, 2. secondhand, theoretical.
1, 2. secondhand, theoretical.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To empirical
00:10
Empirical
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is diffident. Does it mean:
| lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy. |
| Beneficial. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
empirical (ɛmˈpɪrɪkəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | derived from or relating to experiment and observation rather than theory |
| 2. | (of medical treatment) based on practical experience rather than scientific proof |
| 3. | philosophy |
| a. a priori Compare a posteriori (of knowledge) derived from experience rather than by logic from first principles | |
| b. analytic Compare synthetic (of a proposition) subject, at least theoretically, to verification | |
| 4. | of or relating to medical quackery |
| —n | |
| 5. | statistics Compare mathematical probability See also posterior probability the posterior probability of an event derived on the basis of its observed frequency in a sample |
| em'pirically | |
| —adv | |
| em'piricalness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
empirical
1560s, from L. empiricus, from Gk. empeirikos "experienced," from empeiria "experience," from empeiros "skilled," from en- "in" + peira "trial, experiment." Originally a school of ancient physicians who based their practice on experience rather than theory.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
empirical em·pir·i·cal (ěm-pēr'ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Relying on or derived from observation or experiment.
Verifiable or provable by means of observation or experiment.
Of or being a philosophy of medicine emphasizing practical experience and observation over scientific theory.
em·pir'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| empirical (ěm-pîr'ĭ-kəl) Pronunciation Key
Relying on or derived from observation or experiment. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
The trouble is that it turns out largely to be a fiction, based more on anecdotal observation than empirical evidence.
There is no empirical link between macroeconomic performance and the top marginal rate on the wealthy.
There is enormous empirical evidence for the law of diminishing marginal returns.
But a question is empirical only if you can imagine physical evidence that would answer it.
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