Definition of a posteriori in English:
 a posteriori
adjective eɪ pɒˌstɛrɪˈɔːrʌɪɑː pɒˌstɛrɪˈɔːriː
1Relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge which proceeds from observations or experiences to the deduction of probable causes.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  This volume presents the most up-to-date information available on a posteriori error estimation for finite element approximation in mechanics and mathematics.
 -  And, as seen earlier in connection with his ‘logic’, his concepts of demonstration and proof straddle the a priori / a posteriori distinction.
 -  This paper proposes a novel probabilistic variational method with deterministic annealing for the maximum a posteriori estimation of complex stochastic systems.
 -  Historically the a priori / a posteriori distinction has been closely associated with that between the innate and the learned.
 -  In the absence of a clear characterization of the a priori / a posteriori distinction, it is by no means obvious what is being asserted or what is being denied.
 
- 1.1 (in general use) of the nature of an afterthought or subsequent rationalization.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  That's an a posteriori rationalization for "looking nice," if ever there was one, but I'll take the designer at his word.
 -  The "author" is an a posteriori rationalization of the text.
 -  These sentences are called synthetic and they express an a posteriori thought.
 
 
adverb eɪ pɒˌstɛrɪˈɔːrʌɪɑː pɒˌstɛrɪˈɔːriː
1In a way based on reasoning from known facts or past events rather than by making assumptions or predictions.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  This lays them under a necessity of speaking a posteriori, if I may be allowed the phrase.
 
- 1.1sentence adverb With hindsight; as an afterthought.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  The first thesis states that value generation is now primarily the result of social cooperation; the second that there is no longer a direct link between production and valorization, and that the latter is only realized a posteriori in the financial economy.
 
 
Origin
  
Early 17th century: Latin, 'from what comes after'.
Rhymes
  
a fortiori, a priori, memento mori, sori, thesauri, tori