Word Study
a little |
a lot |
a mensa et thoro |
a million times |
a posteriori |
A priori
| a trifle
| aëneous
| aërate
| aëration
| aërator
A priori
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective A priori has 2 senses
- a priori(a = adj.all) Array - involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact; "an a priori judgment" Antonym: a posteriori
- a priori(s = adj.all) Array - based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment; Array
Adverbial A priori has 1 sense
CIDE DICTIONARY
A priori, [L. a (ab) + prior former.].
- Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deduces consequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of a posteriori. [1913 Webster]
- Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
A priori, adj. & adv.
--adj.
1 (of reasoning) deductive; proceeding from causes to effects (opp. A POSTERIORI).
2 (of concepts, knowledge, etc.) logically independent of experience; not derived from experience (opp. EMPIRICAL).
3 not submitted to critical investigation (an a priori conjecture).
--adv.
1 in an a priori manner.
2 as far as one knows; presumptively.
--adj.
1 (of reasoning) deductive; proceeding from causes to effects (opp. A POSTERIORI).
2 (of concepts, knowledge, etc.) logically independent of experience; not derived from experience (opp. EMPIRICAL).
3 not submitted to critical investigation (an a priori conjecture).
--adv.
1 in an a priori manner.
2 as far as one knows; presumptively.
Derivative
apriorism n.
Etymology
L, = from what is before
THESAURUS
A priori
a fortiori, a posteriori, analytic, back, backward, categorical, conditional, deducible, deductive, derivable, dialectic, discursive, dogmatic, early, enthymematic, epagogic, ex post facto, hypothetical, inductive, inferential, into the past, maieutic, reasoned, retroactive, retrospective, soritical, syllogistic, synthetic
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