Why have we chosen à priori?
You'll hear this French expression used in everyday conversation and it's one that's likely to sound particularly strange if you don't already know it.
You'll also see it used fairly regularly in French headlines.
What does it mean?
This expression actually has Latin origins and while it is used a lot in French, in English its usage is largely restricted to philosophy and statistics.
Strictly it means 'in theory' but is used in a variety of contexts which can give the expression slightly different meanings.
Depending on the context, it can be used to mean 'in principle', 'if everything goes as planned' and 'unless something changes'.
It can also mean 'at first glance' or 'from a quick look' .
On top of that, it can be used to mean 'prejudice' or 'preconception'.
If you're in doubt about how to pronounce it, this Youtube video below will help.
Examples
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