\Skep"tic\, n. [Gr. skeptiko`s thoughtful, reflective,
fr. ske`ptesqai 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.
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}.

\Skep"tic\, Skeptical \Skep"tic*al\, a. [Written also
sceptic, sceptical.]
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.