sic

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).

Can be confused: sic, sick.

U.S. Government.

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

Sicilian.

Sicily.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source

Link To sic

Collins

World English Dictionary

sic¹ (sɪk)

—*adv*
	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

[Latin]

sic² (sɪk)

—vb , sics, sicking, sicked
1.	to turn on or attack: used only in commands, as to a dog
2.	to urge (a dog) to attack

[C19: dialect variant of seek]

sic³ (sɪk)

—*determiner, —adv*
	a Scot word for such

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

sic

1887, insertion in printed quotation to call attention to error in the original, from L. sic "so, thus," related to si "if," from PIE base *so- "this, that" (cf. O.E. sio "she").

American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

sic definition

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].’”

American Heritage

Abbreviations & Acronyms

SIC
standard industry classification

Sic.

Sicilian
Sicily

Example sentences

Scientists have long sought ways to sic the body's own immune system on cancer cells.

Supplement their diet with snails and sic them on the bugs in your orchard.

Upgrade to Ad-free Premium Membership!

Matching Quote

"I long to hear that you have declared an independancy [sic]—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Laidies [sic] we are determined to foment a Rebelion [sic], and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation."

-Abigail Adams