adjective / noun
empiric
im-PIR-ik/ɪmˈpɪrɪk/
Relying on observation and practical experience rather than theory.
His empiric test compares how much water passes through each fabric sample.
Etymology
The combination of “in” and “trial” underlies the Greek sense “experienced” or “proven by use.” Applied originally to physicians guided by experience rather than theory, it connects practical testing with the modern meaning.
In context
there's animal study that proves that and there's empiric data just from managing patients that it's a very good drug
More examples
- The doctor chooses an empiric treatment based on the patient's symptoms.
- Their empiric conclusions come from years of watching animal behavior.
- As an empiric, he trusts practical experience more than scientific theory.
Forms
empiric · empirics
empirical adjective — Based on observation or practical experience.
empiricism noun — The view that knowledge comes from experience.
Similar words
- empirical
- The more common adjective for reliance on observation or experience.
- experiential
- Emphasizes direct personal experience rather than observation more broadly.