definitions

empiric

[ em-pir-ik ]
/ ɛmˈpɪr ɪk /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR empiric ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who follows an empirical method.
a quack; charlatan.

adjective

empirical.

RELATED WORDS

factual, experimental, observational, hypocrite, impersonator, cheat, faker, sham, fake, sharper, actor, mountebank, imitator, shyster, phony, pretender, quack, fraud, trickster, deceiver

Nearby words

empire day, empire state, empire state building, empire state of the south, empire-builder, empiric, empiric risk, empirical, empirical formula, empirically, empiricism

Origin of empiric

1520–30; < Latin empīricus < Greek empeirikós experienced, equivalent to em- em-2 + peir- (stem of peirân to attempt) + -ikos -ic
Related formsan·ti·em·pir·ic, noun, adjectivenon·em·pir·ic, noun, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for empiric

British Dictionary definitions for empiric

empiric

/ (ɛmˈpɪrɪk) /

noun

a person who relies on empirical methods
a medical quack; charlatan

adjective

a variant of empirical

Word Origin for empiric

C16: from Latin empīricus, from Greek empeirikos practised, from peiran to attempt
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for empiric

empiric

adj.

c.1600, from Latin empiricus "a physician guided by experience," from Greek empeirikos "experienced," from empeiria "experience," from empeiros "skilled," from en "in" (see en- (2)) + peira "trial, experiment," from PIE *per- "to try, risk." Originally a school of ancient physicians who based their practice on experience rather than theory. Earlier as a noun (1540s) in reference to the sect, and earliest (1520s) in a sense "quack doctor" which was in frequent use 16c.-19c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for empiric

empiric

[ ĕm-pîr′ĭk ]

n.

One who is guided by practical experience rather than precepts or theory.
An unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan.

adj.

Empirical.
Relating to a school of ancient Greek medicine in which a physician relied on experience and precedent in the observation and treatment of disease, and on analogical reasoning in discovering new diseases.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.