zetetichttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zetetic_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezetetic, adj. & n.
Revised 2018

zeteticadjective & noun

  1. adjective
    1. 1645–
      Inquiring, investigating; proceeding by inquiry or investigation.
      In quot. 1645 used with humorous intent.
      zetetic astronomy noun (after the title of Rowbotham's pamphlet on the subject: see quot. 1849) the theory that the earth is a flat disc, and that the sun, moon, and stars are in motion a short distance above it; hence zetetic astronomer.
      1. 1645
        Zetetick, is said of Loxogonosphericall Moods which agree in the same quæsitas.
        T. Urquhart, Trissotetras sig. Pv
      2. 1660
        This was called the Zetetick Philosophy, from its continuall enquiry after truth.
        T. Stanley, History of Philosophy vol. III. iv. 1
      3. 1704
        Zetetick Method in Mathematicks, is the Analytick, or Algebraick way.
        J. Harris, Lexicon Technicum vol. I
      4. 1799
        When shall the ingannations of prejudice be delacerated, and the catachrestical reasonings of facinorous aristocrats be dispanded by the zetetic spirit of the eighteenth century?
        G. Walker, Vagabond vol. II. ii. 37
      5. 1849
        Zetetic Astronomy. A description of several experiments which prove that the surface of the sea is a perfect plane and that the Earth is not a Globe!
        S. B. Rowbotham (title)
      6. 1885
        A party of Zetetic astronomers with scientific instruments.
        Bookseller 7 January 12/1
      7. 1939
        A well-known actress.., when asked by a zetetic reporter what was her favorite superstition, replied, ‘Thank Heaven, I have none!’—and unconsciously ‘knocked wood’ as she spoke.
        J. Trachtenberg, Jewish Magic & Superstition xi. 153
      8. 1971
        This paper is zetetic rather than expository.
        A. L. Peck in Ess. Ancient Greek Philosophy iii. 478
      9. 2001
        Aristotle seeks to cultivate in his students a zetetic, critical stance toward their own regime.
        T. W. Smith, Revaluing Ethics i. 26
  2. noun
    1. 1.
      1658–
      An investigator, an inquirer; spec. (frequently capitalized) an adherent of the ancient Greek sceptic school of philosophy (see sceptic adj., sceptic n. A.1).
      1. 1658
        In the latter you shew your self to me a Cordiall friend, in the other an ingenious and discreet Zetetick.
        G. Starkey, Pyrotechny 159
      2. 1660
        These all were called Pyrrhonians from their Master; Aporeticks, and Scepticks, and Ephecticks, and Zeteticks, from their (as it were) Doctrine.
        T. Stanley, History of Philosophy vol. III. iv. 3
      3. 1670
        They [sc. the Scepticks] were stiled ζητητικοί, Zeteticks, because they were ever seeking, but never found the truth.
        T. Gale, Court of Gentiles: Part II iv. iv. 435
      4. 1751
        Or of what was the Use of Searching, expressed by their [sc. the sceptics'] other Name Zetetics, where avowedly nothing was to be found.
        London Daily Advertiser & Literary Gazette 27 July
      5. 1838
        The ancient Pyrrhonists were called Zetetics or seekers.
        J. Rowbotham, Dictionary 66
      6. 1895
        They were known as Sceptics and Zetetics, to indicate that they were always in search of truth without flattering themselves that they had found it.
        Med. Age 10 January 6/2
      7. 1914
        The Zetetics were a school of philosophers who were so called because they professed to be ‘seekers after the truth’.
        D. J. Burrell, We would see Jesus vii. 46
      8. 2003
        I am a zetetic, an agnostic who will try to find out.
        Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 6 December (A2 section) 2
    2. 2.
      1692–1853
      † Originally, with reference to the work of French mathematician François Viète (1540–1603): a method of solving mathematical problems by expressing them in the form of equations and solving these algebraically, according to certain laws (cf. zetetics n.). In later use more generally: the systematic analysis of problems. Obsolete. rare.
      In quot. 1692 perhaps: the system of letters used by Viète in his method to denote constants and variables.
      1. 1692
        Zetetique, numbers used in Algebra and Equations by the famous Vieta.
        H. Coley, Moxon's Mathematicks made Easie (ed. 2) 181
      2. 1702
        Zetetick [French Zetetique], is a Method made use of to solve Mathematical Problems.
        translation of J. Ozanam, Math. Dictionary
      3. 1853
        [Logic] has been called..Zetetic or the Art of seeking.
        W. Thomson, Outline of Laws of Thought (ed. 3) §35

zetetic, adj. & n. was revised in June 2018.

zetetic, adj. & n. was last modified in September 2024.