skeptical

the word 'skeptical' originates from the greek philosophical school of skeptikoi, who were known for their method of systematic questioning and investigation. the greek root skept- is related to the verb skeptesthai, meaning 'to look, examine, or consider', which itself may derive from an indo-european root meaning 'to see'. the latin suffix -icus and later -alis were appended to form the adjective, shifting the meaning from the act of inquiry to the attitude of doubt. thus, the modern sense of being skeptical evolved from the literal idea of 'looking carefully' into a figurative stance of withholding belief until sufficient evidence is examined.

Structure: skept (observe, examine) + ic (adjective suffix) + al (adjective suffix) skept (from greek skeptikos, meaning 'inquiring, reflective'), ic (from latin -icus, greek -ikos, forming adjectives), al (from latin -alis, forming adjectives).