ə̇mˈpirə̇kəl, (ˈ)em|p-, -rēk- adjective
or em·pir·ic -rik, -rēk
1. archaic
a. : following or used in the practice of the empirics
b. : relying on experience or observation alone without proper regard for considerations of system, science, and theory
c. : being or befitting a quack or charlatan
2.
a. : originating in or relying or based on factual information, observation, or direct sense experience usually as opposed to theoretical knowledge
empirical law
an empirical equation
an empirical basis for an ethical theory
also : relying on or proceeding on the information to be derived from experience and observation for lack of other knowledge : proceeding strictly experimentally or by the trial and error method
an empirical treatment of a disease about which little is known
much medical lore had had an empirical origin … centuries of trial-and-error gropings after remedies — R.H.Shryock
agriculture from its primitive beginnings has been an individualistic, unorganized, empirical business — Yrbk. of Agriculture
b. : experiential ; broadly : observational , factual
empirical data
the psychoanalysts have had no trouble in finding empirical confirmation for their theories — H.M.Parshley
an immense mass of evidence, gathered by empirical investigation — Newsweek
3. : capable of being confirmed, verified, or disproved by observation or experiment
empirical statements or laws
• em·pir·i·cal·ly -rə̇k(ə)lē, -rēk, -li adverb
• em·pir·i·cal·ness -rə̇kəlnə̇s, -rēk- noun -es