What does a priori mean?
Definitions for a priori
ˌeɪ praɪˈɔr aɪ, -ˈoʊr aɪ, ˌeɪ priˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr i, ˌɑ priˈɔr i, -ˈoʊr ia pri·or·i
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word a priori.
Princeton's WordNet
a prioriadjective
involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact
"an a priori judgment"
a prioriadverb
based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment
a prioriadverb
derived by logic, without observed facts
Wiktionary
a prioriadverb
In a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation
a prioriadjective
Known ahead of time.
a prioriadjective
Based on hypothesis rather than experiment.
a prioriadjective
Self-evident, intuitively obvious
a prioriadjective
Presumed without analysis
a prioriadjective
Developed entirely from scratch, without deriving it from existing languages.
Wikipedia
a priori
A priori ("from the earlier") and a posteriori ("from the later") are Latin phrases used in philosophy to distinguish types of knowledge, justification, or argument by their reliance on empirical evidence or experience. A priori knowledge is independent from current experience (e.g., as part of a new study). Examples include mathematics, tautologies, and deduction from pure reason. A posteriori knowledge depends on empirical evidence. Examples include most fields of science and aspects of personal knowledge. The terms originate from the analytic methods found in Organon, a collection of works by Aristotle. Prior analytics (a priori) is about deductive logic, which comes from definitions and first principles. Posterior analytics (a posteriori) is about inductive logic, which comes from observational evidence. Both terms appear in Euclid's Elements and were popularized by Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, an influential work in the history of philosophy. Both terms are primarily used as modifiers to the noun "knowledge" (i.e. "a priori knowledge"). A priori can be used to modify other nouns such as "truth". Philosophers may use apriority, apriorist, and aprioricity as nouns referring to the quality of being a priori.
ChatGPT
a priori
A priori refers to knowledge or reasoning that is derived from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience. It is something that can be known independently of empirical evidence or sensory experience. The term is often used in philosophy to differentiate between types of knowledge, beliefs, or statements.
a priori
A priori refers to knowledge or reasoning that is derived from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience. It represents ideas or principles that are considered to be self-evident or universally recognized as true, without needing empirical evidence or experiences to prove them. In other words, a priori knowledge is independent of specific experiences or sensory experiences.
a priori
A priori refers to knowledge or reasoning that is derived from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience. It is often contrasted with a posteriori knowledge, which is gained from empirical evidence or experience. A priori statements or arguments are independent of experience and can often be self-evident truths or universally accepted facts.
Webster Dictionary
A priori
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
A priori
applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible
Etymology: [L. a (ab) + prior former.]
Wikidata
A priori
An a priori language is any constructed language whose vocabulary is not based on existing languages, unlike a posteriori constructed languages. Examples of a priori languages include Ro, Solresol, Mirad, Klingon, Na'vi and High Valyrian. By contrast, a posteriori languages are ones whose vocabulary is based on existing languages, either as a variation of one language or as a mixture of various languages. Some a priori languages are designed to be international auxiliary languages that remove what could be considered an unfair learning advantage for native speakers of a source language that would otherwise exist for a posteriori languages. Some a priori languages try to categorize their vocabulary, either to express an underlying philosophy or to make it easier to recognize new vocabulary. These are also known as philosophical or taxonomic languages.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
A priori
ā pri-ō′rī, a term applied to reasoning from what is prior, logically or chronologically, e.g. reasoning from cause to effect; from a general principle to its consequences; even from observed fact to another fact or principle not observed, or to arguing from pre-existing knowledge, or even cherished prejudices; (Kant) from the forms of cognition independent of experience.—ns. Apriō′rism, Apriō′rity; Apriō′rist, one who believes in Kant's view of a priori cognition. [L. a, ab, from, priori, abl. of prior, preceding.]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of a priori in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of a priori in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
References
Translations for a priori
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- مسبقArabic
- a prioriCzech
- a prioriGerman
- επαγωγικός, εκ των προτέρων, συμπερασματικόςGreek
- a prioriSpanish
- a prioriFrench
- אפריוריHebrew
- पूर्वसिद्धHindi
- a priori, teorico, preconcettoItalian
- アプリオリJapanese
- ಪ್ರಿಯರಿKannada
- a prioriDutch
- z góryPolish
- a prioriPortuguese
- a prioriRomanian
- незави́симо от о́пыта, доо́пытный, априо́ри, априо́рный, зара́нее, предположи́тельный, до о́пытаRussian
- önselTurkish
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"a priori." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 12 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/a+priori>.
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