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em·pir·ic

(ĕm-pîrĭk)

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).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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