US /ɪmˈpɪrɪk/ UK /ɪmˈpɪrɪk/
noun adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    one who relies on observation or experiment; an unqualified practitioner

    The cautious empiric trusted only what his own trials could show.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · one who relies on... empiricistquackcharlatanexperimenterobserver
Opposites
Word family
Forms empirics

Etymology

From Latin empiricus, from Ancient Greek empeirikós ('experienced, skilled by experience'), from empeiría ('experience'), from en- ('in') + peîra ('trial, attempt'); originally applied to a sect of physicians relying on observation rather than theory.

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