empiric

[em-pir-ik] /ɛmˈpɪr ɪk/
noun
1.
a person who follows an empirical method.
2.
a quack; charlatan.
adjective
3.
empirical.
Origin
1520-30; < Latin empīricus < Greek empeirikós experienced, equivalent to em- em-2 + peir- (stem of peirân to attempt) + -ikos -ic
Related forms
antiempiric, noun, adjective
nonempiric, noun, adjective
Examples from the web for empiric
  • He was not a vain empiric, not a dry grammarian: he had learning, he had seen the world.
  • There is much learned through the empiric practice of medicine and many little surprises, often unintended and positive.
  • There is no one, no single one, real empiric proof that ratifies the existence of anthropogenic global warming.
British Dictionary definitions for empiric

empiric

/ɛmˈpɪrɪk/
noun
1.
a person who relies on empirical methods
2.
a medical quack; charlatan
adjective
3.
a variant of empirical
Word Origin
C16: from Latin empīricus, from Greek empeirikos practised, from peiran to attempt
Word Origin and History for 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.

empiric in Medicine

empiric em·pir·ic (ěm-pēr'ĭk)
n.

  1. One who is guided by practical experience rather than precepts or theory.

  2. An unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan.

adj.

  1. Empirical.

  2. 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.