Hypertext Webster Gateway: "empirical"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Empiric \Em*pir"ic\, Empirical \Em*pir"ic*al\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or founded upon, experiment or experience;
depending upon the observation of phenomena; versed in
experiments.

In philosophical language, the term empirical means
simply what belongs to or is the product of
experience or observation. --Sir W.
Hamilton.

The village carpenter . . . lays out his work by
empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship. --H.
Spencer.

2. Depending upon experience or observation alone, without
due regard to science and theory; -- said especially of
medical practice, remedies, etc.; wanting in science and
deep insight; as, empiric skill, remedies.

{Empirical formula}. (Chem.) See under {Formula}.

Syn: See {Transcendental}.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

empirical
adj : derived from experiment and observation rather than theory;
"an empirical basis for an ethical theory"; "empirical
laws"; "empirical data"; "an empirical treatment of a
disease about which little is known" [ant: {theoretical}]


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