Thesaurus: a priori

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Definitions

1. Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deduces consequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of a posteriori.
2. Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible.
3. adj. involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact
4. adj. based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment
5. adv. derived by logic, without observed facts
6. 1. (Logic) Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deduces consequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of a posteriori. 3. (Philos.) Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible. A priori, that is, form these necessities of the mind or forms of thinking, which, though first revealed to us by experience, must yet have preëxisted in order to make experience possible. Coleridge.
7. Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deducesconsequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or whichinfers effects from causes previously known; deductive ordeductively. The reverse of a posteriori.
8. Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deduces consequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of a posteriori. Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible.