a priori

a pri·o·ri

adj
\ˌä-prē-ˈȯr-ē, ˌa-; ˌā-(ˌ)prī-ˈȯr-ˌī, -ˌprē-ˈȯr-ē\

Definition of A PRIORI

1

a : deductive b : relating to or derived by reasoning from self-evident propositions — compare a posteriori c : presupposed by experience

2

a : being without examination or analysis : presumptive b : formed or conceived beforehand

— a priori adverb

— apri·or·i·ty \-ˈȯr-ə-tē\ noun

Examples of A PRIORI

1. There's no a priori reason to think your expenses will remain the same in a new city.
2. <an a priori argument for the defendant's innocence>

Origin of A PRIORI

Latin, literally, from the former

First Known Use: 1652

Related to A PRIORI

Synonyms: deductive, deducible, derivable, inferable (also inferrible), inferential, reasoned

Antonyms: nondeductive

Related Words: conjectural, hypothetical, purported, supposed, suppositional; academic (also academical), speculative, theoretical (also theoretic); logical, rational

Near Antonyms: inducible, inductive; absolute, categorical (also categoric), definite, explicit, express; instinctive, intuitive; illogical, irrational

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Rhymes with A PRIORI

allegory, amatory, auditory, bedtime story, cacciatore, castratory, category, con amore, cover story, crematory, damnatory, decretory, dilatory, dormitory, excretory, expletory, feudatory, fumitory, Göteborg, gustatory, gyratory, horror story, hortatory, hunky-dory, inventory, laudatory, lavatory, mandatory, migratory, minatory, monitory, Montessori, morning glory, nugatory, offertory, oratory, overstory, piscatory, precatory, predatory, prefatory, probatory, promissory, promontory, purgatory, repertory, Ruwenzori, signatory, statutory, sudatory, territory, transitory, understory, vibratory, vomitory, yakitori