|āˌpäˌstirēˈōrˌī, -ˈȯ.rī; |äˌpäˌsterēˈōr(ˌ)ē, |ȧˌ-, -ˈȯ(ˌ)rē, -i adjective
Etymology: Latin, literally, from the latter
1. : of or relating to the kind of reasoning that derives propositions from the observation of facts or that by generalizations from facts arrives at principles
a posteriori demonstration
— contrasted with a priori
2. : of or relating to what cannot be known except from experience : proved by induction from facts obtained by observation or experiment
a posteriori truth