Definition of EMPIRIC

empiric

Meanings

Plural: empirics

Adjective

  • relying on medical quackery
    • "empiric treatment"
  • 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"

Adj

  • Empirical.

Noun

  • A member of a sect of ancient physicians who based their theories solely on experience.
  • Someone who is guided by empiricism; an empiricist.
  • Any unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan; a quack.

Origin / Etymology

From Old French empirique, from Latin empiricus, from Ancient Greek ἐμπειρικός (empeirikós, “experienced”), from ἐμπειρία (empeiría, “experience, mere experience or practice without knowledge, especially in medicine, empiricism”), from ἔμπειρος (émpeiros, “experienced or practised in”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + πεῖρα (peîra, “a trial, experiment, attempt”). Not related to empire.

Synonyms

empirical

Antonyms

theoretical

Scrabble Score: 13

empiric is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
empiric is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
empiric is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

empiric is a valid Words With Friends word