a priori

adjective, adverb
🔊/ˌeɪ praɪˈɔːraɪ/
🔊/ˌɑː priˈɔːri/
(from Latin, formal)
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  1. using facts or principles that are known to be true in order to decide what the likely effects or results of something will be, for example saying ‘They haven’t eaten anything all day so they must be hungry.’从事实推断结果;由因及果
    • an a priori assumption推理假设
    compare a posterioriTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2
    Word Originlate 16th cent.: Latin, ‘from what is before’.