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definitions

sic

1

or sick

[sik]
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sic ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), sicced or sicked [sikt] /sɪkt/, sic·cing or sick·ing.

to attack (used especially in commanding a dog): Sic 'em!
to incite to attack (usually followed by on).

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Quoting Accurately with SicSic indicates that the word or phrase it follows has been written or spelled in the same way it originally was, even though it appears to be a mistake. Writers often use sic (which comes into English from the Latin word for so or thus) when they’re quoting material from another source. The use of sic lets the writer off the hook for any spelling …
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juxeraRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
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RELATED WORDS

prompt, propel, motivate, goad, remind, provoke, spur, stimulate, urge, draw, persuade, inspire, induce, convince, indicate, elicit, arouse, suggest, cause, help

Nearby words

  1. sibyl,
  2. sibylla,
  3. sibyllic,
  4. sibylline,
  5. sibylline books,
  6. sic passim,
  7. sic semper tyrannis,
  8. sic transit gloria mundi,
  9. sic.,
  10. sica

Origin of sic

1
First recorded in 1835–45; variant of seek

sick

2
[sik]

verb (used with object)

sic1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for sicced

sick

1

adjective

inclined or likely to vomit
  1. suffering from ill health
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the sick
  1. of, relating to, or used by people who are unwellsick benefits
  2. (in combination)sickroom
deeply affected with a mental or spiritual feeling akin to physical sicknesssick at heart
mentally, psychologically, or spiritually disturbed
informal delighting in or catering for the macabre or sadistic; morbidsick humour
Also: sick and tired (often foll by of) informal disgusted or weary, esp because satiatedI am sick of his everlasting laughter
(often foll by for) weary with longing; piningI am sick for my own country
pallid or sickly
not in working order
(of land) unfit for the adequate production of certain crops
look sick slang to be outclassed

noun, verb

an informal word for vomit
See also sick-out
Derived Formssickish, adjective

Word Origin for sick

Old English sēoc; related to Old Norse skjūkr, Gothic siuks, Old High German sioh

sick

2

verb

a variant spelling of sic 2

sic

1

adverb

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

Word Origin for sic

Latin

sic

2

verb sics, sicking or sicked (tr)

to turn on or attack: used only in commands, as to a dog
to urge (a dog) to attack

Word Origin for sic

C19: dialect variant of seek

sic

3

determiner, adverb

a Scot word for such
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 sicced
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for sicced

sick

[sĭk]

adj.

Suffering from or affected with a disease or disorder.
Of or for sick persons.
Nauseated.
Mentally ill or disturbed.
Constituting an unhealthy environment for those working or residing within, as of a building.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Culture definitions for sicced

sic

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].’”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with sicced

sick

In addition to the idioms beginning with sick

  • sick and tired
  • sick as a dog
  • sick at heart
  • sick in bed
  • sick joke
  • sick to one's stomach

also see:

  • call in sick
  • get sick
  • make one sick
  • worried sick
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.