The heuristic



Example: The heuristic guides problem-solving

Definition


"The heuristic" refers to a practical approach or method used to solve problems or make decisions quickly and efficiently, often by employing rules of thumb or educated guesses rather than exhaustive analysis. The heuristic guides problem-solving by simplifying complex processes.

Etymology


The word "heuristic" derives from the Greek word 'heuriskein,' meaning 'to find' or 'to discover.' It was popularized in the early 20th century, especially in psychology and computer science, to describe techniques that help discover solutions through trial and error or practical shortcuts.

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"The heuristic" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - (C2) - set 2", containing 91 commonly used words.
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