1. Of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
   "They used heuristic methods to solve the complex problem"

1. A commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
   "They applied a simple heuristic to narrow down the search space";
   - heuristic rule, heuristic program

Derived forms: heuristics

See also: trial-and-error

Type of: formula, rule

Antonym: algorithmic

Encyclopedia: Heuristic