a posteriori

[ ey po-steer-ee-awr-ahy, -ohr-ahy, -awr-ee, -ohr-ee ]
/ ˌeɪ pɒˌstɪər iˈɔr aɪ, -ˈoʊr aɪ, -ˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr i /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR a posteriori ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

from particular instances to a general principle or law; based upon actual observation or upon experimental data: an a posteriori argument that derives the theory from the evidence. Compare a priori(def 1).
not existing in the mind prior to or independent of experience. Compare a priori(def 2).

Origin of a posteriori

1615–25; < Latin: literally, from the one behind. See a-4, posterior

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH a posteriori

ad hoc a posteriori a priori ex post facto prima facie

Words nearby a posteriori

a number of, a one, a penny saved is a penny earned, a picture is worth a thousand words, a place for everything and everything in its place, a posteriori, a priori, a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, a punta d'arco, a quo, a rolling stone gathers no moss

Words related to a posteriori

analytical, empirical, experimental, logical, practical, inducible, inductive

British Dictionary definitions for a posteriori

a posteriori
/ (eɪ pɒsˌtɛrɪˈɔːraɪ, -rɪ, ɑː) /

adjective logic

relating to or involving inductive reasoning from particular facts or effects to a general principle
derived from or requiring evidence for its validation or support; empirical; open to revision
statistics See posterior probability
Compare a priori, synthetic (def. 4)

Word Origin for a posteriori

C18: from Latin, literally: from the latter (that is, from effect to cause)