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Sic: meaning, definitions and examples

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sic

 

[ sɪk ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

quotation marks

The term 'sic' is used in writing to indicate that a quoted phrase or statement is being reproduced exactly as it was originally spoken or written, including any errors or unusual spellings. It serves to alert the reader that the writer is aware of the mistake or oddity but is intentionally reproducing it. This practice is often found in scholarly work and Journalism to maintain the integrity of the source material, ensuring that the reader understands that the mistake is not the writer's own. 'Sic' originates from Latin, meaning 'thus' or 'so'.

Synonyms

so, therefore, thus

Examples of usage

  • He said he was the best player, sic.
  • The sign read, 'No trespassing', sic.
  • She wrote 'Cats are cuter than dogz', sic.
  • He thought he could 'wing it', sic.
  • They spelled it as 'definately', sic.

Translations

Translations of the word "sic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assim

🇮🇳 ऐसा

🇩🇪 so

🇮🇩 begitu

🇺🇦 так

🇵🇱 tak

🇯🇵 そう

🇫🇷 ainsi

🇪🇸 así

🇹🇷 böyle

🇰🇷 그렇게

🇸🇦 هكذا

🇨🇿 tak

🇸🇰 tak

🇨🇳 这样

🇸🇮 tako

🇮🇸 svona

🇰🇿 осылай

🇬🇪 ასე

🇦🇿 belə

🇲🇽 así

Etymology

The term 'sic' comes from the Latin phrase 'sic erat scriptum', which translates to 'thus it was written'. It was originally used in the 17th century when scribes or editors aimed to preserve the authenticity of original texts. During that era, it became a practice to insert 'sic' in parenthesis or brackets after a quoted mistake in order to signify that the source was cited accurately and no alterations were made by the current writer. In academic writing and journalism, the use of 'sic' serves to reinforce credibility and transparency, allowing readers to understand that the writer did not alter any component of the quote. By doing so, literary professionals and researchers highlight the importance of capturing original phrasing, including any errors, thus providing a more accurate representation of the original source material and context. Over time, 'sic' has been adopted more broadly in various forms of writing, illustrating both an adherence to authenticity and an acknowledgment of error in communication.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,861 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.