HEURISTIC

heuristic

(adjective) of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation

heuristic, heuristic rule, heuristic program

(noun) a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

heuristic (comparative more heuristic, superlative most heuristic)

(of an approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery) That employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect; not following or derived from any theory. [from 1821]

(computing, of a method or algorithm) That solves a problem more quickly but is not certain to arrive at an optimal solution.

(of an argument) That reasons from the value of a method or principle that has been shown by experimental investigation to be a useful aid in learning, discovery and problem-solving.

Noun

heuristic (plural heuristics)

A heuristic method. [from 1860]

The art of applying heuristic methods.

(computing) A technique designed for solving a problem when classic methods are too slow or fail to find any exact solution.

Source: Wiktionary


Heu*ris"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Definition: Serving to discover or find out.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

11 May 2025

MALLET

(noun) a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike such percussion instruments as chimes, kettledrums, marimbas, glockenspiels, etc.


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Coffee Trivia

Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.

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