heuristics
UK[hjʊəˈrɪstɪks]US[hjʊˈrɪstɪks]
n
a method of solving problems or making decisions by learning from past experience and using practical methods, rather than by following a fixed set of rules.
n
(in computer science) a technique designed for solving a problem more quickly when classic methods are too slow, or for finding an approximate solution when classic methods fail to find any exact solution.
Morpheme Breakdown
heur
istics
heur
find, discover
istics
pertaining to a field of study or practice
Etymology
the term originates from the greek verb 'heuriskein', meaning 'to find' or 'to discover'. this root is famously connected to the exclamation 'eureka!' (i have found it), attributed to archimedes. the suffix '-istics' was added in modern scientific english to denote a field of knowledge or practice concerned with discovery. thus, 'heuristics' literally means 'the art or practice of finding', which evolved into its modern meaning of problem-solving through experiential discovery and practical rules of thumb, as opposed to strict algorithmic or logical deduction.
Analysis
Structure: heur (find, discover) + istics (pertaining to a field of study or practice)
heur is from greek 'heuriskein' (to find, discover). istics is an english suffix derived from latin '-isticus' and greek '-istikos', forming adjectives and nouns related to a practice, system, or characteristic.
Examples
the software uses clever heuristics to filter out spam emails.
in the absence of complete data, managers often rely on business heuristics to make quick decisions.
cognitive psychologists study the mental heuristics people use to make judgments under uncertainty.