Added 6 October 2026
empiric
/ɛmˈpɪɹɪk/ adjective
In Latin: empīricus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about empiric at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
noun
- A member of a sect of ancient physicians who based their theories solely on experience.
- Someone who is guided by empiricism; an empiricist.
- Any unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan; a quack.
Origin
Borrowed from Latin empiricus, from Ancient Greek ἐμπειρῐκός (empeirĭkós, “experienced”), from ἐμπειρία (empeiría, “experience, mere experience or practice without knowledge, especially in medicine, empiricism”), from ἔμπειρος (émpeiros, “experienced or practised in”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + πεῖρα (peîra, “a trial, experiment, attempt”). Not related to empire.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)