Sic.

¹ American  

abbreviation

1. Sicilian.

2. Sicily.

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sic ² American  

[seek, sik] / sik, sɪk /

adverb

Latin.

1. so; thus: usually written parenthetically to denote that a word, phrase, passage, etc., that may appear strange or incorrect has been written intentionally or has been quoted verbatim.

   He signed his name as e. e. cummings (sic).

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sic ³ American  

[sik] / sɪk /

adjective

Chiefly Scot.

1. such.

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sic ⁴ American  

[sik] / sɪk /

Or sick

verb (used with object)

sicced, sicked siccing, sicking

1. to attack (used especially in commanding a dog).

   Sic 'em!

2. to incite to attack (usually followed byon ).

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SIC ⁵ American  

U.S. Government.

1. Standard Industrial Classification: a system used by the federal government to classify business activities for analytical and reporting purposes.

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sic ¹ British  

/ sɪk /

determiner

1. a Scot word for such

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sic ² British  

/ sɪk /

adverb

1. so or thus: inserted in brackets in a written or printed text to indicate that an odd or questionable reading is what was actually written or printed

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sic ³ British  

/ sɪk /

verb

1. to turn on or attack: used only in commands, as to a dog

2. to urge (a dog) to attack

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sic Cultural  

1. A Latin word for “thus,” used to indicate that an apparent error is part of quoted material and not an editorial mistake: “The learned geographer asserts that ‘the capital of the United States is Washingtown [sic].’”

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Etymology

Origin of sic¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin sīc

Origin of sic¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English (north and Scots); such

Origin of sic¹

First recorded in 1835–45; variant of seek

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the White House is siccing militarized forces on American cities, trying to deport planeloads of children and attempting to rig the 2026 midterms.

From Los Angeles Times

In February, she introduced a bill, AB 1038, that would allow hunters to sic trained dogs on bears to chase them through the woods, but not kill them.

From Los Angeles Times

Inevitably, the discussion turned to the wrecking-ball presidency of Donald Trump and his autocratic and, frankly, un-American penchant for siccing the government on his political foes.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not hard to feel outrage at the sight of sheriffs siccing police dogs on innocent protesters, or gangs of toughs beating Black college students for sitting at a lunch counter.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea seemed so wild and provocative — siccing U.S. troops on a peaceful neighbor — that Mexican officials figured it was nothing more than Trump bluster aimed at revving up his base.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arouse
• cause
• convince
• draw
• elicit
• help
• indicate
• induce
• inspire
• motivate
• persuade
• propel
• provoke
• spur
• stimulate
• suggest
• urge