n. 1. One who is guided by practical experience rather than precepts or theory. 2. An unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan. adj. Empirical. [Latin empīricus, from Greek empeirikos, experienced, from empeiros, skilled : en-, in; see EN-2 + peirān, to try (from peira, try, attempt; see per-3 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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