nomothetic

[ nom-uh-thet-ik ]
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adjective
  1. giving or establishing laws; legislative.

  2. founded upon or derived from law.

  1. Psychology. pertaining to or involving the study or formulation of general or universal laws (opposed to idiographic).

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Origin of nomothetic

1
From the Greek word nomothetikós, dating back to 1650–60. See nomo-, thetic

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British Dictionary definitions for nomothetic

nomothetic

nomothetical

/ (ˌnɒməˈθɛtɪk) /


adjective
  1. giving or enacting laws; legislative

  2. psychol of or relating to the search for general laws or traits, esp in personality theory: Compare idiographic

Origin of nomothetic

1
C17: from Greek nomothetikos, from nomothetēs lawgiver

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