heuristic

adj.

1. Of or relating to a usually speculative formulation serving as a guide in the investigation or solution of a problem: “The historian discovers the past by the judicious use of such a heuristic device as the ‘ideal type’” (Karl J. Weintraub).
2. Of or constituting an educational method in which learning takes place through discoveries that result from investigations made by the student.
3. Computer Science. Relating to or using a problem-solving technique in which the most appropriate solution of several found by alternative methods is selected at successive stages of a program for use in the next step of the program.

n.

1. A heuristic method or process.
2. heuristics (used with a sing. verb) The study and application of heuristic methods and processes.

[From Greek heuriskein, to find.]

heuristically heu·ris'ti·cal·ly adv.

A general recommendation based on statistical evidence. For example, 'Smoking may severely damage your health'.

---

A method of problem solving using exploration and trial and error methods. Heuristic program design provides a framework for solving a problem in contrast with a fixed set of rules (algorithmic) that cannot vary.

Download Computer Desktop Encyclopedia to your iPhone/iTouch

Method of solving problems that involves intelligent trial and error, such as playing chess. By contrast, an algorithmic solution method is a clearly specified procedure that is guaranteed to give the correct answer. See also Algorithm.

In computers and computerized problem-solving exercises, based on trial and error; in education, describing the technique of learning by the ‘discovery method’.

A process, such as trial and error, for solving a problem for which no algorithm exists. A heuristic for a problem is a rule or method for approaching a solution.

[Th]

A set of activities that are designed to throw up fresh ideas, new ways of looking at things, or alternative explanations of observed phenomena, as a prelude to the formulation of new propositions and theories. Some experimental archaeology and a great deal of ethnoarchaeology is heuristic.

Encouraging or promoting investigation; conducive to discovery.

of or relating to exploratory problem-solving methods that utilize self-educating techniques to improve performance

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - heuristisk
n. - heuristik

Nederlands (Dutch)
methodische studieleer, methode van vallen en opstaan (computer), door methodische studieleer (be)geleid

Français (French)
adj. - heuristique
n. - heuristique

Deutsch (German)
n. - heuristische Methode
adj. - heuristisch

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ευρετική (μέθοδος αυτοδιδαχής)
adj. - διερευνητικός, βολιδοσκοπικός

Italiano (Italian)
euristico

Português (Portuguese)
n. - heurística (f)
adj. - heurístico

Русский (Russian)
эвристический

Español (Spanish)
adj. - heurístico
n. - método heurístico

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - (pl.) heuristik (läran om metoderna att finna nya vetenskapliga resultat)
adj. - heuristisk (logik. el. ped.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
启发式的, 尝试错误的, 探索的, 启发式教育法

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 啟發式的, 嘗試錯誤的, 探索的
n. - 啟發式教育法

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 스스로 발견하게 하는, 발견을 돕는
n. - 발견적 교수법

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 自分で発見させる, 発見に役立つ

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) الموجه أو المساعد على الكشف, المشجع للطالب على اكتشاف الاشياء بنفسه (صفه) موجه أو مساعد على الكشف, مشجع للطالب على اكتشاف الاشياء بنفسه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮מסייע במציאת פתרון, מדע ההליכים ההיוריסטיים, הליך היוריסטי, (מחשבים) מתקדם לקראת פתרון ע"י ניסוי וטעייה‬
n. - ‮מדע ההליכים ההיוריסטיים, הליך היוריסטי‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.