empiric

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: em=pir=ic

CIDE DICTIONARY

empiric, n. [L. empiricus an empiric, Gr. experienced, equiv. to ; in + a trial, experiment; akin to ford, way, and E. fare: cf. F. empirique. See In, and Fare.].

•  One who follows an empirical method; one who relies upon practical experience.  [1913 Webster]
•  One who confines himself to applying the results of mere experience or his own observation; especially, in medicine, one who deviates from the rules of science and regular practice; an ignorant and unlicensed pretender; a quack; a charlatan.  [1913 Webster]

  "Among the Greek physicians, those who founded their practice on experience called themselves empirics."  [1913 Webster]

  "Swallow down opinions as silly people do empirics' pills."

empiric, a. 

•  Pertaining to, or founded upon, experiment or experience; depending upon the observation of phenomena; versed in experiments.  [1913 Webster]

  "In philosophical language, the term empirical means simply what belongs to or is the product of experience or observation."  [1913 Webster]

  "The village carpenter . . . lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship."  [1913 Webster]
•  Depending upon experience or observation alone, without due regard to science and theory; -- said especially of medical practice, remedies, etc.; wanting in science and deep insight; as, empiric skill, remedies.  [1913 Webster]

Empirical formula. (Chem.) See under Formula.

Syn. -- See Transcendental.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

empiric, adj. & n.
--adj. = EMPIRICAL.
--n. archaic 1 a person relying solely on experiment.
2 a quack doctor.

Derivative

empiricism n. empiricist n.

Etymology

L empiricus f. Gk empeirikos f. empeiria experience f. empeiros skilled

ROGET THESAURUS

empiric

Deceiver

N deceiver &c (deceive), dissembler, hypocrite, sophist, Pharisee, Jesuit, Mawworm, Pecksniff, Joseph Surface, Tartufe, Janus, serpent, snake in the grass, cockatrice, Judas, wolf in sheep's clothing, jilt, shuffler, stool pigeon, liar &c (lie), story-teller, perjurer, false witness, menteur a triple etage, Scapin, bunko steerer, carpetbagger, capper, faker, fraud, four flusher, horse coper, ringer, spieler, straw bidder, imposter, pretender, soi-disant, humbug, adventurer, Cagliostro, Fernam Mendez Pinto, ass in lion's skin, actor, quack, charlatan, mountebank, saltimbanco, saltimbanque, empiric, quacksalver, medicaster, Rosicrucian, gypsy, man of straw, conjuror, juggler, trickster, prestidigitator, jockey, crimp, decoy, decoy duck, rogue, knave, cheat, swindler, jobber, saint abroad and a devil at home.