adj, noun — 6 senses
CA, US /hjəˈɹɪstɪk/ · /hjuˈɹɪstɪk/
Etymology Irregular formation from Ancient Greek εὑρίσκω (heurískō, “I find, discover”) (compare the proper Greek term εὑρετικός (heuretikós)).
That employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect; either not following or derived from any theory, or based on an advisedly oversimplified one.
Learning; or discovery; learning; or discovery Of an approach to problem solving
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Of a method or algorithm That provides a useful, but not optimal, solution to a problem. Such algorithms are typically employed either because the only known algorithms that provide optimal solutions use too much time or resources, or else because there is no known algorithm that provides 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.
Etymology Irregular formation from Ancient Greek εὑρίσκω (heurískō, “I find, discover”) (compare the proper Greek term εὑρετικός (heuretikós)).
A heuristic method.
The art of applying heuristic methods.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A heuristic algorithm or method.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.