non-empirically
|non-em-pir-i-cal-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn ɪmˈpɪrɪkli/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn ɪmˈpɪrɪk(ə)li/
(non-empirical)
not based on observation
Etymology
'non-empirically' originates from modern English, formed by the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') + 'empirical' (ultimately from Greek 'empeiria' meaning 'experience' via Latin 'empiricus').
'empirical' passed into English via Late Latin 'empiricus' and Old French 'empirique'; the negative prefix 'non-' was attached in English to form 'non-empirical', and the adverbial suffix '-ly' produced 'non-empirically'.
Originally 'empirical' meant 'relating to experience'; 'non-empirically' has meant 'in a way not based on experience or observation' and has retained that sense in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner not based on empirical evidence, observation, or experiment; by means other than observed data (for example, by pure reasoning or theory).
The theory was developed non-empirically, relying on logical deduction rather than experimental data.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/26 18:12