Chapter Empanel to Empress of E by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

1. Pertaining to, or founded upon, experiment or experience; depending upon the observation of phenomena; versed in experiments.

In philosophical language, the term empirical means simply what belongs to or is the product of experience or observation.

Sir W. Hamilton.

The village carpenter . . . lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship.

H. Spencer.

2. Depending upon experience or observation alone, without due regard to science and theory; — said especially of medical practice, remedies, etc.; wanting in science and deep insight; as, empiric skill, remedies.

Empirical formula. (Chem.) See under Formula.

Syn. — See Transcendental.

Empirically
(Em*pir"ic*al*ly), adv. By experiment or experience; without science; in the manner of quacks.

Empiricism
(Em*pir"i*cism) n.

1. The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment.

2. Specifically, a practice of medicine founded on mere experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of principles; ignorant and unscientific practice; charlatanry; quackery.

3. (Metaph.) The philosophical theory which attributes the origin of all our knowledge to experience.

Empiricist
(Em*pir"i*cist) n. An empiric.

Empiristic
(Em`pi*ris"tic) a. (Physics) Relating to, or resulting from, experience, or experiment; following from empirical methods or data; — opposed to nativistic.

Emplaster
(Em*plas"ter) n. [OF. emplastre, F. emplâtre, L. emplastrum a plaster or salve, fr. Gr. fr. to plaster up, daub over; in + to form, mold, apply as a plaster.] See Plaster. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Emplaster
(Em*plas"ter), v. t. [Cf. OF. emplastrer, F. emplâtrer. See Emplaster, n.] To plaster over; to cover over so as to present a good appearance. [Obs.] "Fair as ye his name emplaster." Chaucer.

Emplastic
(Em*plas"tic) a. [Cf. F. emplastique, fr. Gr. clogging. See Emplaster.] Fit to be applied as a plaster; glutinous; adhesive; as, emplastic applications.

Emplastic
(Em*plas"tic), n. A medicine causing constipation.

Emplastration
(Em`plas*tra"tion) n. [L. emplastratio a budding.]

1. The act or process of grafting by inoculation; budding. [Obs.] Holland.

2. [See 1st Emplaster.] (Med.) The application of a plaster or salve.

Emplead
(Em*plead") v. t. [Pref. em- (L. in) + plead: cf. F. emplaidier. Cf. Implead.] To accuse; to indict. See Implead.

Emplection
(Em*plec"tion) n. See Emplecton.

Emplecton
(Em*plec"ton) n. [F. or L. emplecton, fr. Gr. fr. interwoven, fr. to plait or weave in; in + to twist, weave.] A kind of masonry in which the outer faces of the wall are ashlar, the space between being filled with broken stone and mortar. Cross layers of stone are interlaid as binders. [R.] Weale.