Sics

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. To incite or urge someone to attack or pursue
2. to summon or set in motion, typically referring to animals
3. to command or instruct a person or group to take aggressive action

Etymology: The verb "sic" traces back to the Latin adverb "sic," meaning "thus" or "so." In English, it emerged as a term used primarily in writing to indicate that a quoted passage is reproduced exactly as in the source, including any errors or unusual spellings. This usage dates back to the late 17th century. Writers and editors would insert "[sic]" immediately after a word or phrase to signal to readers that any oddity was intentional and faithfully copied, rather than a transcription error. The transition from this editorial marker to the verb form "to sic" is more recent and colloquial. It began to appear in American English in the 19th century, especially in the context of training dogs or commanding an attack. The verb means "to set upon" or "to incite to attack," often used with "on" or "at" as in "sic the dog on him." This martial or assertive sense seems unrelated to the Latin origin and likely arose from a different source, possibly an imperative command rooted in dog-training jargon. As a noun, "sic" is less common but can refer to the act of setting an animal or person upon something or someone. The noun form aligns with the verb's usage in commanding pursuit or attack. This meaning reflects a vivid, physical action rather than the textual notation's abstract editorial function. Though spelled identically, the two senses of this term—editorial and imperative command—come from distinct lineages and serve very different purposes. The editorial "sic" remains enclosed in brackets to highlight its function, while the verb and noun forms stand alone in everyday speech. The divergence of meaning illustrates how homographs can evolve separately in English, shaped by context and usage over time.

Synonyms: attacks, chases, commands