EMPIRICAL

Pronunciation (US):

• EMPIRICAL (adjective)
  The adjective EMPIRICAL has 2 senses:

1. derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
2. relying on medical quackery

  Familiarity information: EMPIRICAL used as an adjective is rare.

• EMPIRICAL (adjective)

Meaning:

Derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

Synonyms:

empirical; empiric

Context examples:

an empirical basis for an ethical theory / empirical laws / empirical data / an empirical treatment of a disease about which little is known

Similar:

a posteriori (requiring evidence for validation or support)

confirmable; falsifiable; verifiable (capable of being tested (verified or falsified) by experiment or observation)

existential; experiential (derived from experience or the experience of existence)

data-based; experimental; observational (relying on observation or experiment)

experimental (of the nature of or undergoing an experiment)

semiempirical (relying to some extent on observation or experiment)

trial-and-error (trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminated)

Antonym:

theoretical (concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations)

Meaning:

Relying on medical quackery

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

empiric; empirical

Context example:

empiric treatment

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Pertainym:

quackery (medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings)