Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “sceptically” come from?

Sceptically is the adverbial form of sceptic, derived from Middle English sceptic, ultimately from Greek skeptikos meaning "inquiring" or "doubting."

sceptically (English): Alternative form of skeptically

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of skeptically

Ancestry of “sceptically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-allyAlternative form of -ly , used with adjectives in...
2EnglishahistoricSynonym of ahistorical
3EnglishhistoricVery important; noteworthy: having importance or...
4Latinhistoricushistorical
5Latinhistoriahistory; account; story
6Ancient Greekἱστορίαinquiry, examination, systematic observation,...
7Ancient Greekἱστορέωto inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,...
8Ancient Greekἵστωρone who knows law and right, judge; witness; a...
9Proto-Hellenicwístōr—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanwéydtōrone who has seen, one who knows
11Indo-European*weyd-—
Every word from Indo-European *weyd- →