[the.o.ret.i.cal] also the.o.ret.ic adj [LL theoreticus, fr. Gk theoretikos, fr. theorein to look at] (1601) 1 a: relating to or having the character of theory: abstract b: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications: speculative "~ physics"
2: given to or skilled in theorizing "a brilliant ~ physicist"
3: existing only in theory: hypothetical "gave as an example a ~ situation"