Skep"tic (?), n. [Gr. skeptiko`s thoughtful, reflective, fr.
ske`ptesqai to look carefully or about, to view, consider: cf. L.
scepticus, F. sceptique. See Scope.] [Written also sceptic.] 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.
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2. (Metaph.) 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 W. Hamilton.
3. (Theol.) 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.
S. 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.
Syn. -- Infidel; unbeliever; doubter. -- See Infidel.
{ Skep"tic (?), Skep"tic*al (?), } a. [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. (Theol.) Doubting or denying the truth of revelation, or the sacred
Scriptures.
The skeptical system subverts the whole foundation of morals.
R. Hall.
-- Skep"tac*al*ly, adv. -- Skep"tic*al*ness, n.
Skep"ti*cism (?), n. [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written also scepticism.]
1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.
That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and confusion, which is
the result of skepticism.
Hune.
2. (Metaph.) The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly
known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; Pyrrohonism;
universal doubt; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of
confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical
investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or
assertion of certain principles.
3. (Theol.) A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a denial of the
divine origin of the Christian religion, or of the being, perfections,
or truth of God.
Let no . . . secret skepticism lead any one to doubt whether this
blessed prospect will be realized.
S. Miller.
Skep"ti*cize (?), v. i. To doubt; to pretend to doubt of everything.
[R.]
To skepticize, where no one else will . . . hesitate.
Shaftesbury.
Sker"ry (?), n.; pl. Skerries (#). [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. sker,
Sw. skär, Dan. ski&?;r. Cf. Scar a bank.] A rocky isle; an insulated
rock. [Scot.]
Sketch (?), n. [D. schets, fr. It. schizzo a sketch, a splash (whence
also F. esquisse; cf. Esquisse.); cf. It. schizzare to splash, to
sketch.] An outline or general delineation of anything; a first rough
or incomplete draught or plan of any design; especially, in the fine
arts, such a representation of an object or scene as serves the
artist's purpose by recording its chief features; also, a preliminary
study for an original work.
Syn. -- Outline; delineation; draught; plan; design. -- Sketch,
Outline, Delineation. An outline gives only the bounding lines of some
scene or picture. A sketch fills up the outline in part, giving broad
touches, by which an imperfect idea may be conveyed. A delineation goes
further, carrying out the more striking features of the picture, and
going so much into detail as to furnish a clear conception of the
whole. Figuratively, we may speak of the outlines of a plan, of a work,
of a project, etc., which serve as a basis on which the subordinate
parts are formed, or of sketches of countries, characters, manners,
etc., which give us a general idea of the things described. Crabb.
Sketch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sketched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sketching.]
[Cf D. schetsen, It. schizzare. See Sketch, n.] 1. To draw the outline
or chief features of; to make a rought of.