Empiricalness

/ɪmˈpɪrɪkəlnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being based on observation and experience rather than theory or abstract reasoning.

Etymology

A relatively modern formation (19th century) combining 'empirical' with the suffix '-ness,' which creates abstract nouns from adjectives to describe qualities or conditions.

Kelly Says

The 'empiricalness' of chemistry—actually mixing substances and seeing what happens—is what separated it from alchemy and made it a real science!

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