a priori

(ā′ prī ôrī, -ôrē; ä′-)

  1. from cause to effect or from a generalization to particular instances; deductive or deductively
  2. based on theory, logic, fixed rules or forms, etc. instead of on experience or experiment
  3. 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
  1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive.
  2. a. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience.
    b. Knowable without appeal to particular experience.
  3. 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

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Related Forms:

  • aˌ pri·oˈri adverb
  • aˌ pri·orˈi·ty (-ôrˈĭ-tē, -ŏrˈ-) noun

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