empírico

empirical

adjective em-PEE-ree-koh Rare

Origin: From Greek empeirikos, based on experience.

Usage Note

Empírico describes knowledge or evidence derived from observation and experiment rather than theory. It is a key term in philosophy and science (método empírico = empirical method). The adverb is empíricamente. Note that in Spanish academic writing empírico is often contrasted with teórico rather than racional, unlike some English usage.

Examples

"La ciencia busca pruebas de tipo empírico."

Natural Translation

Science seeks empirical evidence.

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