Dogmatics

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /dɒɡˈmætɪks/

Definitions

1. A systematic set of principles and doctrines, particularly within a religious or philosophical context
2. The study and analysis of specific beliefs or tenets that are formally stated
3. An authoritative framework for understanding key concepts and guiding practices in a given field

Etymology: "Dogmatics" is a compound of two Greek-derived pieces: "dogmata," the plural of "dogma," meaning opinions or decrees, and the suffix "-ics," which English uses for systematic bodies of knowledge or practice, as in "mathematics" or "physics." The result names the systematic study and organisation of a body of beliefs rather than the beliefs themselves. The "-ics" ending is the interesting part here. It is a suffix that turns a word into the name of a discipline, so "dogmatics" literally means something like "the science of dogmas." The "-ic" in the middle comes from Greek "-ikos," which Latin borrowed as "-icus" and which passed into English through Middle English and Old French, while the plural "-s" and the "-ics" form were added later in English.

Synonyms: doctrines, tenets