a priori
(ā′ prī ôr′ī, -ôr′ē; ä′-)
- from cause to effect or from a generalization to particular instances; deductive or deductively
- based on theory, logic, fixed rules or forms, etc. instead of on experience or experiment
- before examination or analysis
Origin:
L, lit., from what precedes < a, ab, from + priori, abl. of prior: see prior
See a priori in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective- Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive.
a. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience.
b. Knowable without appeal to particular experience.
- Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study.
Origin:
Origin: Medieval Latin ā priōrī
Origin: : Latin ā, from
Origin: + Latin priōrī
Origin: , ablative of prior, former
.
Related Forms:
- aˌ pri·orˈi·ty (-ôrˈĭ-tē, -ŏrˈ-) noun
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