{"word":"empirical","date":"2026-09-14","partOfSpeech":"adjective","pronunciation":"im-PEER-uh-kul","definition":"based on testing or experience","example":"The team of conservation biologists has over the years collected reams of empirical data, from species inventories to soil analyses.","etymology":"The word empirical comes from the Greek word empeirikos, meaning experienced or skilled, which is derived from empeiria, experience, and entered English around 1650. The Greek root empeiria is related to empeiros, meaning experienced, and is also seen in empiric, a related English word.","source":"merriam-webster","sourceUrl":"https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/empirical-2026-09-14","fetchedAt":"2026-09-14T07:33:46.734Z","cached":false}