'a priori' definitions:
Definition of 'a priori'
(from WordNet)
adverb
Derived by logic, without observed facts [ant: a posteriori]
adjective
Involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact; "an a priori judgment" [ant: a posteriori]
adjective
Based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment
Definition of 'a priori'
From: GCIDE
- Regulative \Reg"u*la*tive\ (r?g"?*l?*t?v), a.
- 1. Tending to regulate; regulating. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Metaph.) Necessarily assumed by the mind as fundamental to all other knowledge; furnishing fundamental principles; as, the regulative principles, or principles a priori; the regulative faculty. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
- Note: These terms are borrowed from Kant, and suggest the thought, allowed by Kant, that possibly these principles are only true for the human mind, the operations and belief of which they regulate. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'a priori'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- a fortiori,
- a posteriori,
- analytic,
- back,
- backward,
- categorical,
- conditional,
- deducible,
- deductive,
- derivable,
- dialectic,
- discursive,
- dogmatic,
- early,
- enthymematic,
- epagogic,
- ex post facto,
- hypothetical,
- inductive,
- inferential,
- into the past,
- maieutic,
- reasoned,
- retroactive,
- retrospective,
- soritical,
- syllogistic,
- synthetic