scilicet

[sil-uh-set]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scilicet ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

to wit; namely.

Origin of scilicet

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin scīlicet, short for scīre licet it is permitted to know

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for scilicet

especially, expressly, particularly, specially, specifically, videlicet, i.e.

Examples from the Web for scilicet

Historical Examples of scilicet

Quaere Mr. Partridge of his Directio mortis, scilicet about 35 aetatis.
Brief Lives (Vol. 1 of 2)
John Aubrey
So then he percieved he was attacqued by death, scilicet, the dead palsey.
Brief Lives (Vol. 1 of 2)
John Aubrey
Videbam coram me vitem & in ea tres fundos oculos (principal buds) scilicet unde funduntur palmites.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes
Various
Nimo scilicet eiusdem rithimi repercussio, nisi forte novum aliquid atque intentatum artis hoc sibi praeroget.
Instigations
Ezra Pound
July 31, 1677, I sold my bokes to Mr. Littlebury, scilicet when my impostume in my heade did breake.
Brief Lives (Vol. 1 of 2)
John Aubrey

British Dictionary definitions for scilicet

scilicet

adverb

namely; that is: used esp in explaining an obscure text or an ambiguity, or supplying a missing word

Word Origin for scilicet

Latin: shortened from scīre licet it is permitted to know

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

Word Origin and History for scilicet

late 14c., Latin, "you may know, you may be sure, it is certain," used in sense "that is to say, namely," contraction of scire licit "it is permitted to know," from scire "to know" (see science); for second element see licit. Used as was Old English hit is to witanne, literally "it is to wit" (see wit (v.)). Often abbreviated sc. or scil.

Its function is to introduce : (a) a more intelligible or definite substitute, sometimes the English, for an expression already used ... (b) a word &c. that was omitted in the original as unnecessary, but is thought to require specifying for the present audience .... [Fowler]