a priori

[ ey prahy-awr-ahy, -ohr-ahy, ey pree-awr-ee, -ohr-ee, ah pree-awr-ee, -ohr-ee ]
/ ˌeɪ praɪˈɔr aɪ, -ˈoʊr aɪ, ˌeɪ priˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr i, ˌɑ priˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr i /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR a priori ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

from a general law to a particular instance; valid independently of observation. Compare a posteriori(def 1).
existing in the mind prior to and independent of experience, as a faculty or character trait. Compare a posteriori(def 2).
not based on prior study or examination; nonanalytic: an a priori judgment.

Origin of a priori

1645–55; < Latin: literally, from the one before. See a-4, prior1

OTHER WORDS FROM a priori

a·pri·or·i·ty [ey-prahy-awr-i-tee, -or-] /ˌeɪ praɪˈɔr ɪ ti, -ˈɒr-/, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH a priori

ad hoc a posteriori a priori ex post facto prima facie

Words nearby a priori

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, a shares

Words related to a priori

derivable, presumptive, rational, supposed, theoretical, inferred, deductive, reasoned

Example sentences from the Web for a priori

British Dictionary definitions for a priori

a priori
/ (eɪ praɪˈɔːraɪ, ɑː prɪˈɔːrɪ) /

adjective

logic relating to or involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to the expected facts or effects
logic known to be true independently of or in advance of experience of the subject matter; requiring no evidence for its validation or support
statistics See prior probability, mathematical probability
Compare a posteriori, analytic (def. 4)

Derived forms of a priori

apriority (ˌeɪpraɪˈɒrɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for a priori

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