a priori

[ ey prahy-awr-ahy, -ohr-ahy, ey pree-awr-ee, -ohr-ee, ah pree-awr-ee, -ohr-ee ]

adjective

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

   an a priori judgment.

a priori

/ ˌeɪpraɪˈɒrɪtɪ; ɑː prɪˈɔːrɪ; eɪ praɪˈɔːraɪ /

adjective

1. logic relating to or involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to the expected facts or effects
2. logic known to be true independently of or in advance of experience of the subject matter; requiring no evidence for its validation or support
3. statistics See prior probability mathematical probability

Derived Forms

• apriority, noun

Other Words From

• a·pri·or·i·ty [ey-prahy-, awr, -i-tee, -, or, -], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of a priori¹

1645–55; < Latin: literally, from the one before. See a- ⁴, prior ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of a priori¹

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

Example Sentences

Scholars, if they be Christians at all, can have no possible a-priori objection to belief in the supernatural.

From Project Gutenberg

The vast majority of the interpretations have been simply due to a-priori prepossessions, which are arbitrary and baseless.

From Project Gutenberg

But, the conclusion once reached, he stood on it as an a-priori breathing-spot.

From Project Gutenberg

However, it is impossible to arrive at a final definition of intelligence on the basis of a-priori considerations alone.

From Project Gutenberg

Mind, again, as just a-priori principle and basis of all things, is manifestly their universal "Quality."

From Project Gutenberg