DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
skep·tic /ˈskɛptɪk/
懷疑者,懷疑論者,無神論者
Skep·tic n. [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.
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.
Note: ☞ 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.
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Skep·tic Skep·tic·al a.
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.
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skeptic
n : someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs [syn: sceptic,
doubter]