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dialectical

American  
[dahy-uh-lek-ti-kuhl] / ˌdaɪ əˈlɛk tɪ kəl /

adjective

  1. dialectic.

  2. of or characteristic of a dialect; dialectal.


dialectical British  
/ ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪkəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to dialectic or dialectics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

See dialectal.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of dialectical

First recorded in 1520–30; dialectic + -al 1

Explanation

Dialectical describes how someone goes about finding the truth. If you're an investigative journalist, you probably use dialectical reasoning. You might think dialectical refers to how people speak in a certain region or in a specific group, such as a regional accent. That version of dialect comes from the Greek word dialektos, meaning "discourse, way of speaking." But dialectical instead comes from the French word dialecte, meaning "denoting the art of investigating the truth of opinions." It has to do with a method of reasoning used to determine the truth.

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Vocabulary lists containing dialectical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy can teach you to hold both realities at once.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2023

Dialectical behavioral therapy or DBT focuses more on emotional regulation and was created at the University of Washington by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1970s.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2023

Dialectical behavior therapy group for difficulties with emotions or relationships, and cognitive behavioral therapy group for depression and anxiety.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2022

Dialectical materialism identities the contradictions within material, real-world phenomena as the driving force of change.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Dialectical materialism seemed to offer both a searchlight illuminating the dark night of racial oppression and a tool that could be used to end it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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