scepticskepticadj.n.

Brit.

/ˈskɛptɪk/, U.S.

/ˈskɛptɪk/

Etymology: < French sceptique adjective and noun, or its source late Latin scepticus (Scepticī noun plural, the Sceptics), lit. inquiring, reflective, assumed by the disciples of Pyrrho as their distinctive epithet; < σκεπ- in σκέπτεσθαι to look out, consider, ablaut-variant of σκοπ- in σκοπεῖν to look, σκοπός watchman, mark to aim at, etc.: see scope n.² Compare Spanish escéptico, Portuguese sceptico, Italian scettico, German skeptiker noun, skeptisch adjective. In French the sc is pronounced /s/ as in sceptre . In English direct recourse to Greek produced the pronunciation with /sk/. The spelling with sk- , for which compare skeleton n., occurs in the earliest instance, and has been used occasionally by later writers. It is adopted without comment or alternative in Johnson's Dictionary, but did not become general in England; in the U.S. it is the ordinary form. Now usually spelt sceptic in the U.K. and British Commonwealth and skeptic in the U.S. Similarly all the derivatives, scepticism/skepticism, etc.

A. adj.

= sceptical adj. Now rare except as the epithet of a school of philosophers (see B. 1).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective]

sceptica1582

aporetic1605

sceptical1639

aporetical1668

sceptic-ridden1707

sceptic-like1709

Sadduceeist1888

a1582 G. Buchanan Let. in Vernac. Writings (1892) 57 I can not tak you for ane Stoik philosopher..or ane cairless [margin, skeptik] hart that taks cuccaldris as thyng indifferent.

1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie i. i. sig. B8 Fye Gallus, what, a skeptick Pyrrhomist [sic]?

1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 221 Calling..humble Ductility after further Reason, and Discovery, Sceptick Inconstancy.

1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists i. ii. 27 Using a known Sceptick Privilege, and asserting strenuously the Cause I have hitherto oppos'd.

1839 Morn. Herald 14 Sept. The sceptic geologists of the British Association.

1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia II. 3 Free from the sceptic distrustfulness..so common.

B. n.

1. Philosophy. One who, like Pyrrho and his followers in Greek antiquity, doubts the possibility of real knowledge of any kind; one who holds that there are no adequate grounds for certainty as to the truth of any proposition whatever. Also, often applied in a historically less correct sense, to those who deny the competence of reason, or the existence of any justification for certitude, outside the limits of experience.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > ancient Greek philosophy > post-Socratic philosophy > [noun] > Greek scepticism > adherent of

Pyrrhonian1556

sceptic1587

Pyrrhonic1593

Pyrrhonist1598

Epochist1603

zetetic1658

New Academic1660

acataleptic1679

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. i. 12 There were in deede a kinde of Philosophers called Scepticks (that is to say Dowters) which did rather suspend their Judgement concerning the Godhead then call it in question.

1608 Bp. J. Hall Characters Vertues & Vices ii. 151 Hee is a Scepticke, and dare hardly giue credit to his senses.

a1631 J. Donne Iuuenilia (1633) sig. D1^v The Skeptike, which doubts all, was more contentious, than either.

a1640 P. Massinger Guardian iii. vi. 240 in 3 New Playes (1655) And I have eyes too... If I have no belief in their assurance, I must turn sceptick.

1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing Ep. Ded. Confidence in uncertainties is the greatest enemy to what is certain; and were I a Sceptick, I'de plead for Dogmatising.

a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 203 I am apt to think there never yet has really been such a monster in the world as a thorough sceptic.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 219 Howe'er ingenious on his darling theme, A sceptic in philosophy may seem [etc.].

1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 11 The old-fashioned nomenclature puts him down among sceptics.

1893 J. Owen (title) The Skeptics of the Italian Renaissance.

2. One who doubts the validity of what claims to be knowledge in some particular department of inquiry (e.g. metaphysics, theology, natural science, etc.); popularly, one who maintains a doubting attitude with reference to some particular question or statement. Also, one who is habitually inclined rather to doubt than to believe any assertion or apparent fact that comes before him; a person of sceptical temper.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [noun] > a sceptic

didymist1607

sceptic1615

nullifidian1632

agnostic1885

1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 48 The Philosopher..calleth the head, the chest, and the belly, principall Organs, because the most irresolute Scepticke, cannot but acknowledge their action and diuerse composition.

1650 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (1662) i. iii. 14 In the meantime I am a Sceptick, and know little in this whole doctrine of Spirits, and spiritual workings, further than Scripture clearly revealeth.

1657 T. Aylesbury Treat. Confession of Sinne xii. 342 If we still continue Scepticks in the settlement of Church and Doctrine.

1725 I. Watts Logick ii. iii. §3 The Dogmatist is in haste to believe something... The Sceptick will not take Pains to search Things to the Bottom, but when he sees Difficulties on both Sides resolves to believe neither of them.

1779 S. Johnson Milton in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets II. 45 If every sceptick in theology may teach his follies, there can be no religion.

1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) i. ii. 14 'Tis the first time that honour has been doubted, And were the last, from any other sceptic.

1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold III. xi. i. 154 But one smile of the sceptic or the world-man was seen on the paling lips of those present.

1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Nov. 2/2 Who says there is no romance in food? Let the sceptic turn to ‘Lorna Doone’.

3. spec. One who doubts, without absolutely denying, the truth of the Christian religion or important parts of it; often loosely, an unbeliever in Christianity, an infidel.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [noun] > person

wanbelieverc1440

unbeliever1526

infidela1530

nullifidian1564

atheist1571

sceptic1638

disbeliever1648

non-believer1649

scorner1651

scoffer1691

sceptic-Christian1711

nothingarian1776

nothingist1797

no-religionist1827

nihilist1854

netheist1855

non-theist1857

agnostic1869

nescient1872

post-Christian1886

bush baptist1902

no-Goddite1952

1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i. Pref. §8 So an Atheist or a Sceptique may not conclude as well.

1674 T. Smith (title) Christian Religion's Appeal from the groundless prejudices of the Sceptick to the Bar of Common Reason.

1711 G. Hickes Two Treat. (ed. 3) I. ii. 146 I wish..such Men would..not give such advantage to Deists and Scepticks.

1781 G. Crabbe Library 23 There Sceptics rest, a still-increasing throng.

1863 R. B. Girdlestone Anat. Scepticism 100 In listening to the arguments of a sceptic you are breathing a poisonous atmosphere.

4. Occasionally used with reference to the etymological sense: A seeker after truth; an inquirer who has not yet arrived at definite convictions.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [noun] > one who doubts

doubtful1589

doubter1603

sceptica1618

ducker1620

miscreant1660

hummer1820

dubitant1821

don't know1839

hesitater1853

persuadend1865

don't knowist1908

undecided1968

a1618 W. Raleigh Sceptick (1651) 1 The Sceptick doth neither affirm, neither denie any Position: but doubteth of it, and opposeth his Reasons against that which is affirmed, or denied to justifie his not Consenting.

1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes 96 Which temerity..hath, we see, made some poor souls turn Scepticks and Seekers after true Religion.

1865 G. Grote Plato I. vi. 212 Several critics of antiquity considered Plato as essentially a sceptic—that is, a Searcher or Enquirer, not reaching any assured or proved result.

1870 M. D. Conway Earthward Pilgrimage xxi. 248 A Sceptic, then, is one who shades his eyes in order to look steadfastly at a thing.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.

sceptic-Christian n.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [noun] > person

wanbelieverc1440

unbeliever1526

infidela1530

nullifidian1564

atheist1571

sceptic1638

disbeliever1648

non-believer1649

scorner1651

scoffer1691

sceptic-Christian1711

nothingarian1776

nothingist1797

no-religionist1827

nihilist1854

netheist1855

non-theist1857

agnostic1869

nescient1872

post-Christian1886

bush baptist1902

no-Goddite1952

1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. ii. ii. 72 The best Christian in the World, who..depends only on History and Tradition for his Belief in these Particulars, is at best but a Sceptick-Christian.

sceptic-friend n.

ΚΠ

1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. v. ii. 288 To deal the better with his Sceptick-Friend, he falls again to personating.

C2.

sceptic-like adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective]

sceptica1582

aporetic1605

sceptical1639

aporetical1668

sceptic-ridden1707

sceptic-like1709

Sadduceeist1888

1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists i. iii. 38 But..bore with me when I treated all his Thoughts as visionary; and when Sceptick-like I unravel'd all his Systems.

sceptic-ridden adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective]

sceptica1582

aporetic1605

sceptical1639

aporetical1668

sceptic-ridden1707

sceptic-like1709

Sadduceeist1888

1707 G. Hickes Two Treat. Pref. p. clxxxviii He may..regale his Atheist-ridden, or Theist-ridden, or Sceptick-ridden..or Devil-ridden Mind.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online September 2021).

单词	sceptic
释义	scepticskepticadj.n. Brit. /ˈskɛptɪk/, U.S. /ˈskɛptɪk/ Etymology: < French sceptique adjective and noun, or its source late Latin scepticus (Scepticī noun plural, the Sceptics), lit. inquiring, reflective, assumed by the disciples of Pyrrho as their distinctive epithet; < σκεπ- in σκέπτεσθαι to look out, consider, ablaut-variant of σκοπ- in σκοπεῖν to look, σκοπός watchman, mark to aim at, etc.: see scope n.² Compare Spanish escéptico, Portuguese sceptico, Italian scettico, German skeptiker noun, skeptisch adjective. In French the sc is pronounced /s/ as in sceptre . In English direct recourse to Greek produced the pronunciation with /sk/. The spelling with sk- , for which compare skeleton n., occurs in the earliest instance, and has been used occasionally by later writers. It is adopted without comment or alternative in Johnson's Dictionary, but did not become general in England; in the U.S. it is the ordinary form. Now usually spelt sceptic in the U.K. and British Commonwealth and skeptic in the U.S. Similarly all the derivatives, scepticism/skepticism, etc. A. adj. = sceptical adj. Now rare except as the epithet of a school of philosophers (see B. 1). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective] sceptica1582 aporetic1605 sceptical1639 aporetical1668 sceptic-ridden1707 sceptic-like1709 Sadduceeist1888 a1582 G. Buchanan Let. in Vernac. Writings (1892) 57 I can not tak you for ane Stoik philosopher..or ane cairless [margin, skeptik] hart that taks cuccaldris as thyng indifferent. 1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie i. i. sig. B8 Fye Gallus, what, a skeptick Pyrrhomist [sic]? 1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 221 Calling..humble Ductility after further Reason, and Discovery, Sceptick Inconstancy. 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists i. ii. 27 Using a known Sceptick Privilege, and asserting strenuously the Cause I have hitherto oppos'd. 1839 Morn. Herald 14 Sept. The sceptic geologists of the British Association. 1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia II. 3 Free from the sceptic distrustfulness..so common. B. n. 1. Philosophy. One who, like Pyrrho and his followers in Greek antiquity, doubts the possibility of real knowledge of any kind; one who holds that there are no adequate grounds for certainty as to the truth of any proposition whatever. Also, often applied in a historically less correct sense, to those who deny the competence of reason, or the existence of any justification for certitude, outside the limits of experience. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > ancient Greek philosophy > post-Socratic philosophy > [noun] > Greek scepticism > adherent of Pyrrhonian1556 sceptic1587 Pyrrhonic1593 Pyrrhonist1598 Epochist1603 zetetic1658 New Academic1660 acataleptic1679 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. i. 12 There were in deede a kinde of Philosophers called Scepticks (that is to say Dowters) which did rather suspend their Judgement concerning the Godhead then call it in question. 1608 Bp. J. Hall Characters Vertues & Vices ii. 151 Hee is a Scepticke, and dare hardly giue credit to his senses. a1631 J. Donne Iuuenilia (1633) sig. D1^v The Skeptike, which doubts all, was more contentious, than either. a1640 P. Massinger Guardian iii. vi. 240 in 3 New Playes (1655) And I have eyes too... If I have no belief in their assurance, I must turn sceptick. 1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing Ep. Ded. Confidence in uncertainties is the greatest enemy to what is certain; and were I a Sceptick, I'de plead for Dogmatising. a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 203 I am apt to think there never yet has really been such a monster in the world as a thorough sceptic. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 219 Howe'er ingenious on his darling theme, A sceptic in philosophy may seem [etc.]. 1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 11 The old-fashioned nomenclature puts him down among sceptics. 1893 J. Owen (title) The Skeptics of the Italian Renaissance. 2. One who doubts the validity of what claims to be knowledge in some particular department of inquiry (e.g. metaphysics, theology, natural science, etc.); popularly, one who maintains a doubting attitude with reference to some particular question or statement. Also, one who is habitually inclined rather to doubt than to believe any assertion or apparent fact that comes before him; a person of sceptical temper. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [noun] > a sceptic didymist1607 sceptic1615 nullifidian1632 agnostic1885 1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 48 The Philosopher..calleth the head, the chest, and the belly, principall Organs, because the most irresolute Scepticke, cannot but acknowledge their action and diuerse composition. 1650 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (1662) i. iii. 14 In the meantime I am a Sceptick, and know little in this whole doctrine of Spirits, and spiritual workings, further than Scripture clearly revealeth. 1657 T. Aylesbury Treat. Confession of Sinne xii. 342 If we still continue Scepticks in the settlement of Church and Doctrine. 1725 I. Watts Logick ii. iii. §3 The Dogmatist is in haste to believe something... The Sceptick will not take Pains to search Things to the Bottom, but when he sees Difficulties on both Sides resolves to believe neither of them. 1779 S. Johnson Milton in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets II. 45 If every sceptick in theology may teach his follies, there can be no religion. 1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) i. ii. 14 'Tis the first time that honour has been doubted, And were the last, from any other sceptic. 1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold III. xi. i. 154 But one smile of the sceptic or the world-man was seen on the paling lips of those present. 1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Nov. 2/2 Who says there is no romance in food? Let the sceptic turn to ‘Lorna Doone’. 3. spec. One who doubts, without absolutely denying, the truth of the Christian religion or important parts of it; often loosely, an unbeliever in Christianity, an infidel. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [noun] > person wanbelieverc1440 unbeliever1526 infidela1530 nullifidian1564 atheist1571 sceptic1638 disbeliever1648 non-believer1649 scorner1651 scoffer1691 sceptic-Christian1711 nothingarian1776 nothingist1797 no-religionist1827 nihilist1854 netheist1855 non-theist1857 agnostic1869 nescient1872 post-Christian1886 bush baptist1902 no-Goddite1952 1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i. Pref. §8 So an Atheist or a Sceptique may not conclude as well. 1674 T. Smith (title) Christian Religion's Appeal from the groundless prejudices of the Sceptick to the Bar of Common Reason. 1711 G. Hickes Two Treat. (ed. 3) I. ii. 146 I wish..such Men would..not give such advantage to Deists and Scepticks. 1781 G. Crabbe Library 23 There Sceptics rest, a still-increasing throng. 1863 R. B. Girdlestone Anat. Scepticism 100 In listening to the arguments of a sceptic you are breathing a poisonous atmosphere. 4. Occasionally used with reference to the etymological sense: A seeker after truth; an inquirer who has not yet arrived at definite convictions. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [noun] > one who doubts doubtful1589 doubter1603 sceptica1618 ducker1620 miscreant1660 hummer1820 dubitant1821 don't know1839 hesitater1853 persuadend1865 don't knowist1908 undecided1968 a1618 W. Raleigh Sceptick (1651) 1 The Sceptick doth neither affirm, neither denie any Position: but doubteth of it, and opposeth his Reasons against that which is affirmed, or denied to justifie his not Consenting. 1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes 96 Which temerity..hath, we see, made some poor souls turn Scepticks and Seekers after true Religion. 1865 G. Grote Plato I. vi. 212 Several critics of antiquity considered Plato as essentially a sceptic—that is, a Searcher or Enquirer, not reaching any assured or proved result. 1870 M. D. Conway Earthward Pilgrimage xxi. 248 A Sceptic, then, is one who shades his eyes in order to look steadfastly at a thing. Compounds C1. General attributive. sceptic-Christian n. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > atheism > [noun] > person wanbelieverc1440 unbeliever1526 infidela1530 nullifidian1564 atheist1571 sceptic1638 disbeliever1648 non-believer1649 scorner1651 scoffer1691 sceptic-Christian1711 nothingarian1776 nothingist1797 no-religionist1827 nihilist1854 netheist1855 non-theist1857 agnostic1869 nescient1872 post-Christian1886 bush baptist1902 no-Goddite1952 1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. ii. ii. 72 The best Christian in the World, who..depends only on History and Tradition for his Belief in these Particulars, is at best but a Sceptick-Christian. sceptic-friend n. ΚΠ 1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. v. ii. 288 To deal the better with his Sceptick-Friend, he falls again to personating. C2. sceptic-like adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective] sceptica1582 aporetic1605 sceptical1639 aporetical1668 sceptic-ridden1707 sceptic-like1709 Sadduceeist1888 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists i. iii. 38 But..bore with me when I treated all his Thoughts as visionary; and when Sceptick-like I unravel'd all his Systems. sceptic-ridden adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > scepticism > [adjective] sceptica1582 aporetic1605 sceptical1639 aporetical1668 sceptic-ridden1707 sceptic-like1709 Sadduceeist1888 1707 G. Hickes Two Treat. Pref. p. clxxxviii He may..regale his Atheist-ridden, or Theist-ridden, or Sceptick-ridden..or Devil-ridden Mind. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online September 2021). < adj.n.a1582
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