ˈeɪpraɪˈɔ:raɪ adj. & adv. --adj. 1 (of reasoning)
deductive;
proceeding from causes to effects (opp. A POSTERIORI). 2 (of concepts,
knowledge, etc.) logically
independent of
experience;
not derived from experience (opp. EMPIRICAL). 3 not submitted to
critical investigation (an a priori conjecture). --adv. 1 in an a priori
manner. 2 as
far as
one knows; presumptively. øøapriorism n. [L, = from
what is before]