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empirical - 6 dictionary results

em⋅pir⋅i⋅cal

  [em-pir-i-kuhl]
Use empirical in a Sentence
–adjective
1. derived from or guided by experience or experiment.
2. depending upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory, esp. as in medicine.
3. provable or verifiable by experience or experiment.
Origin:
1560–70; empiric + -al 1

Related forms:
em⋅pir⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
em⋅pir⋅i⋅cal⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. practical, firsthand, pragmatic.

Antonyms:
1, 2. secondhand, theoretical.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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em·pir·i·cal   (ěm-pîr'ĭ-kəl)   
adj.  
    1. Relying on or derived from observation or experiment: empirical results that supported the hypothesis.
    2. Verifiable or provable by means of observation or experiment: empirical laws.
  2. Guided by practical experience and not theory, especially in medicine.
em·pir'i·cal·ly 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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empirical 
1569, 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: em·pir·i·cal
Pronunciation: -i-k&l
Variant: also em·pir·ic /-ik/
Function: adjective
1 archaic a : following or used in the practice of the empirics —compare RATIONAL 2 b : being or befitting a quack or charlatan
2 : originating in or based on observation or experiment empirical origin… centuries of trial-and-error gropings after remedies —R. H. Shryock>
3 : capable of being confirmed, verified, or disproved by observation or experiment<empirical statements or laws> —em·pir·i·cal·ly /-i-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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empirical em·pir·i·cal (ěm-pēr'ĭ-kəl)
adj.

  1. Relying on or derived from observation or experiment.
  2. Verifiable or provable by means of observation or experiment.
  3. 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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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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