empiric

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ɛmˈpɪɹɪk/ /ɪmˈpɪɹɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Qwertygiy-empiric.wav

Word forms

empiric empirick empirics

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.

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