empirically
UK[ɪmˈpɪrɪkli]US[ɪmˈpɪrɪkli]
adv
in a way that is based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
adv
in a way that is based on practical experience rather than scientific principles.
Morpheme Breakdown
empiric
al
ly
empiric
based on experience
al
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word 'empirically' originates from the greek 'empeiria', meaning 'experience', derived from 'empeiros' ('experienced in'). this entered late latin as 'empiricus', referring to a physician whose practice relied on observation rather than theory. the english adjective 'empirical' was formed by adding the latin suffix '-al', and the adverb 'empirically' was subsequently created with the common germanic adverbial suffix '-ly'. the term's evolution from a descriptor of practical, experience-based medical practice to its modern abstract meaning in philosophy and science illustrates a shift from a specific professional method to a general epistemological principle based on observable evidence.
Analysis
Structure: empiric (based on experience) + al (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
empiric (from greek 'empeirikos', meaning 'experienced', via late latin 'empiricus'), al (latin adjectival suffix '-alis'), ly (old english adverbial suffix '-lice', from germanic).
Examples
the hypothesis was tested empirically through a series of controlled experiments.
we know empirically that this method yields the best results.
his conclusions were not drawn from theory but were based empirically on decades of field data.