Etymology Map
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Skeptic

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a person inclined to doubt

Where does the word "skeptic" come from? It comes from Greek skeptikos, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
skeptikos
Greek · ancient
"inquiring"
Greek, from 'skeptesthai', to look carefully
2
Stage 2 of 2
skeptic
English · 1580s
"philosophical doubter"
the Sceptic school of Pyrrho doubted all knowledge
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Skeptic’s story begins in Greek: skeptikos meant “inquiring.” Greek, from 'skeptesthai', to look carefully. It reached English by 1580s as skeptic. The Sceptic school of Pyrrho doubted all knowledge. Today, skeptic means a person inclined to doubt.