skeptic
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)skeptics
- someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefsSynonyms: scepticdoubterType of intellectual, intellectKinds pessimist, doubting Thomas
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Gr. σκεπτικός thoughtful, reflective, fr. σκέπτεσθαι to look carefully or about, to view, consider: cf. L. scepticus, F. sceptique. See Scope.
1. One who is yet undecided as to what is true; one who is looking or inquiring for what is true; an inquirer after facts or reasons.
2. Metaphysics A doubter as to whether any fact or truth can be certainly known; a universal doubter; a Pyrrhonist; hence, in modern usage, occasionally, a person who questions whether any truth or fact can be established on philosophical grounds; sometimes, a critical inquirer, in opposition to a dogmatist.
All this criticism [of Hume] proceeds upon the erroneous hypothesis that he was a dogmatist. He was a skeptic; that is, he accepted the principles asserted by the prevailing dogmatism: and only showed that such and such conclusions were, on these principles, inevitable.— Sir William Hamilton
3. Theology A person who doubts the existence and perfections of God, or the truth of revelation; one who disbelieves the divine origin of the Christian religion.
Suffer not your faith to be shaken by the sophistries of skeptics.— Samuel Clarke
☞ This word and its derivatives are often written with c instead of k in the first syllable, — sceptic, sceptical, scepticism, etc. Dr. Johnson, struck with the extraordinary irregularity of giving c its hard sound before e, altered the spelling, and his example has been followed by most of the lexicographers who have succeeded him; yet the prevalent practice among English writers and printers is in favor of the other mode. In the United States this practice is reversed, a large and increasing majority of educated persons preferring the orthography which is most in accordance with etymology and analogy.
Synonyms: Infidel; unbeliever; doubter. — See Infidel.
Origin: Written also sceptic, sceptical.
1. Of or pertaining to a sceptic or skepticism; characterized by skepticism; hesitating to admit the certainly of doctrines or principles; doubting of everything.
2. Theology Doubting or denying the truth of revelation, or the sacred Scriptures.
The skeptical system subverts the whole foundation of morals.— Robert Hall
— Skep′wb-a1′>′tac·al·ly, adverb — Skep′wb-a1′>′tic·al·ness, noun
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54