Main Entry: em·pir·i·cal

Pronunciation: \-i-kəl\

Variant(s): also em·pir·ic \-ik\

Function: adjective

Date: 1569

1 : originating in or based on observation or experience <empirical data>
2 : relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory <an empirical basis for the theory>
3 : capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment <empirical laws>
4 : of or relating to empiricism

— em·pir·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb