Definition of Ab initio

From the beginning

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ab initio
adv : at the beginning; "at first he didn't notice anything strange" [syn: initially, at first, at the start]

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Adverb
1. at the beginning; "at first he didn't notice anything strange"
(synonym) initially, at first, at the start

A calculation or prediction that is based purely on theory rather than on experimental data. Accurate ab initio predictions are an important test of a theory. (Lat., "from first principles")

from first principles. An ab initio calculation is a calculation derived from first principles.

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Lat. 'from the beginning'. Usually used in reference to contracts, estates, trespasses and deeds to indicate their existence or validity relates back to their creation like an (unlawful) marriage 'ab initio' meaning the marriage was void during its entire alleged existence.

When a man enters upon lands or into the house of another by authority of law, and afterwards abuses that authority, he becomes a trespasser ab initio. And if an officer neglects to remove goods attached within a reasonable time and continues in possession, his entry becomes a trespass ab initio. But in case of an authority in fact, to enter, an abuse of such authority will not, in general, subject the party to an action of trespass.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.

Latin: from the start; from the beginning. - (read more on Ab initio)
  

From the beginning.