em ‧ pir ‧ i ‧ cal AC /ɪmˈpɪrɪk ə l/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ empiricism , ↑ empiricist ; adverb : ↑ empirically ; adjective : ↑ empirical ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: empiric 'person who puts trust only in practical experience' (16-21 centuries) , from Latin empiricus , from Greek empeiria 'experience' ]
based on scientific testing or practical experience, not on ideas OPP theoretical , hypothetical :
empirical evidence
—empirically /-kli/ adverb