GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    { Sceptic , Sceptical, Scepticism, etc. } See Skeptic, Skeptical, Skepticism, etc.
    1913 Webster
    
      
    
  2.       

    Skeptic , n. [Gr. σκεπτικός thoughtful, reflective, fr. σκέπτεσθαι 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.
      1913 Webster
    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.
      1913 Webster
      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.

      1913 Webster
    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.
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      Suffer not your faith to be shaken by the sophistries of skeptics.
      S. Clarke.

      1913 Webster
      ☞ 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.
      1913 Webster
      Syn. -- Infidel; unbeliever; doubter. -- See Infidel.
      1913 Webster

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