a posteriori
[ey po-steer-ee-
awr
-ahy, -
ohr
-ahy, -
awr
-ee, -
ohr
-ee]
/ˌeɪ pɒˌstɪər iˈɔr aɪ, -ˈoʊr aɪ, -ˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr i/
adjective
1.
from particular instances to a general principle or law; based upon actual observation or upon experimental data:
an a posteriori argument that derives the theory from the evidence.
Compare
a priori
(def 1).
2.
not existing in the mind prior to or independent of experience.
Compare
a priori
(def 2).
Origin
1615-25;
<
Latin:
literally, from the one behind. See
a-
4
,
posterior
Can be confused
ad hoc
,
a posteriori,
a priori
,
ex post facto
,
prima facie
.
British Dictionary definitions for
a posteriori
a posteriori
/
eɪ pɒsˌtɛrɪˈɔːraɪ;
-rɪ;
ɑː
/
adjective
(
logic
)
1.
relating to or involving inductive reasoning from particular facts or effects to a general principle
2.
derived from or requiring evidence for its validation or support; empirical; open to revision
3.
(
statistics
)
See
posterior probability
Compare
a priori
,
synthetic
(sense 4)
Word Origin
C18: from Latin, literally: from the latter (that is, from effect to cause)
Word Origin and History for
a posteriori
Latin, literally "from what comes after" (see
posterior
).