I. ˈ(h)yu̇|ristik, -yü|-, -tēk adjective
Etymology: German heuristisch, from New Latin heuristicus, from Greek heuriskein to discover; akin to Old Irish fūar I have found
: providing aid or direction in the solution of a problem but otherwise unjustified or incapable of justification
heuristic techniques
a heuristic assumption
even vague and dubious assertions can render good services to empirical research as a heuristic stimulus — Edgar Zilsel
specifically : of or relating to exploratory problem-solving techniques that utilize self-educating techniques (as the evaluation of feedback) to improve performance
a heuristic computer program
• heu·ris·ti·cal·ly -tə̇k(ə)lē, -tēk-, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: German heuristik, from New Latin heuristica, from feminine of heuristicus
1. : the science or art of heuristic procedure
2. : heuristic argument
III. noun
: a heuristic method or procedure