a posteriori

adjective a pos·te·ri·o·ri \ˌä-(ˌ)pō-ˌstir-ē-ˈȯr-ē, -ˌster-; ˌā-(ˌ)pä-ˌstir-ē-ˈȯr-ˌī, -(ˌ)pō-, -ˈȯr-ē\

: relating to what can be known by observation rather than through an understanding of how certain things work

Full Definition of A POSTERIORI

: relating to or derived by reasoning from observed facts — compare a priori

— a posteriori adverb

See a posteriori defined for English-language learners

Latin, literally, from the latter

First Known Use: 1588

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