Difference between revisions of "Sceptic - septic"
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| − | '''Sceptic''' is a term basically of philosophy. '''Septic''' is basically used in medicine and other biological sciences. (In [[American English]], '''sceptic''' is spelled with a | + | '''Sceptic''' is a term basically of philosophy. '''Septic''' is basically used in medicine and other biological sciences. (In [[American English]], '''sceptic''' is spelled with a '-k-' - '''skeptic'''.) |
| − | * A '''sceptic''', in general English, is someone who tests the truth of everything, and is not inclined to believe things easily. Technically, in the academic subject of Philosophy, a Sceptic is | + | * A '''sceptic''', in general English, is someone who tests the truth of everything, and is not inclined to believe things easily. Technically, in the academic subject of Philosophy, a Sceptic is 'a follower of the school of Pyrrho and his successors', (''[[Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary|Chambers]]''). '''Sceptic''' is usually a [[noun]]; nowadays, the usual [[adjective]] is '''sceptical'''. The American English spelling '''skeptic''' is logical, helpful - and <u>unacceptable</u>, in Britain. |
| − | :'''Sceptic''' | + | :'''Sceptic''' - and all other related words, like '''sceptical''' and '''scepticism''' - is pronounced with the first two consonants clearly enunciated: 'SKEPtic', {{IPA|'skɛp tɪk}}. The beginning of the word sounds like that of 'school', not 'scene'. |
| − | * '''Septic''', on the other hand, is virtually always an adjective. Its basic meaning is | + | * '''Septic''', on the other hand, is virtually always an adjective. Its basic meaning is 'infected' or 'poisonous' in a particular way. If you scratch your hand and do not wash the place, it may turn septic: that is, it may be painful, ooze yellow or white matter, and eventually poison your blood. The [[abstract noun]] that names the phenomenon is '''sepsis'''; control of the infection is '''asepsis''', and a nurse should take '''aseptic''' or '''antiseptic measures'''. |
| − | :'''Septic''' and its relations are pronounced as they look, with a simple | + | :::'''Septic''' and its relations are pronounced as they look, with a simple '-s-' at the beginning, {{IPA|'sɛp tɪk}}. So they are different from the '''sceptic''' family, in spelling and pronunciation. Don't, as many undergraduates have done, confuse them. |
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| + | '''''Etymological'' ''note''''': Both '''sceptic''' and '''septic''' come from the [[Greek]]. '''Sceptic''' comes from σκεπτικός (''skeptikos''), ‘thoughtful, reflective’, an [[adjective]] from the [[verb]] σκέπτεσθαι (''skeptesthai''), ‘to view examine, consider’; while '''septic''' comes from σηπτικός (''sēptikos''), ‘putrefactive, septic’, an [[adjective]] from the [[verb]] σήπειν (''sēpein''), ‘to make rotten or putrid’. | ||
[[Category:Malapropisms]] | [[Category:Malapropisms]] | ||
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[[Category:Pronunciation]] | [[Category:Pronunciation]] | ||
[[Category:AmE]] | [[Category:AmE]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Etymology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:43, 30 March 2017
Sceptic is a term basically of philosophy. Septic is basically used in medicine and other biological sciences. (In American English, sceptic is spelled with a '-k-' - skeptic.)
- A sceptic, in general English, is someone who tests the truth of everything, and is not inclined to believe things easily. Technically, in the academic subject of Philosophy, a Sceptic is 'a follower of the school of Pyrrho and his successors', (Chambers). Sceptic is usually a noun; nowadays, the usual adjective is sceptical. The American English spelling skeptic is logical, helpful - and unacceptable, in Britain.
- Sceptic - and all other related words, like sceptical and scepticism - is pronounced with the first two consonants clearly enunciated: 'SKEPtic', IPA: /'skɛp tɪk/. The beginning of the word sounds like that of 'school', not 'scene'.
- Septic, on the other hand, is virtually always an adjective. Its basic meaning is 'infected' or 'poisonous' in a particular way. If you scratch your hand and do not wash the place, it may turn septic: that is, it may be painful, ooze yellow or white matter, and eventually poison your blood. The abstract noun that names the phenomenon is sepsis; control of the infection is asepsis, and a nurse should take aseptic or antiseptic measures.
- Septic and its relations are pronounced as they look, with a simple '-s-' at the beginning, IPA: /'sɛp tɪk/. So they are different from the sceptic family, in spelling and pronunciation. Don't, as many undergraduates have done, confuse them.
Etymological note: Both sceptic and septic come from the Greek. Sceptic comes from σκεπτικός (skeptikos), ‘thoughtful, reflective’, an adjective from the verb σκέπτεσθαι (skeptesthai), ‘to view examine, consider’; while septic comes from σηπτικός (sēptikos), ‘putrefactive, septic’, an adjective from the verb σήπειν (sēpein), ‘to make rotten or putrid’.
