Quotations and Literature Forum

It has nothing to do with being English (or British). It has everything to do with literacy and the arrogant tone your comment suggested to others on the forum.

I'm American and know that 'scientifical' is not a word.

And your post wasn't pretentious? Bravado? Do me a favour and check your sources next time.

Straight from the definitive Oxford English Dictionary:

1. Of a syllogism, proof, evidence: ‘Producing knowledge’, demonstrative. Also, of a conclusion: Demonstratively proved. Obs.

1588 J. HARVEY Disc. Probl. 30 But in the meanwhile they presume that this point of philosophy is Scientificall: and doth it indeed Sub scientiam cadere, as they presuppose? 1628 T. SPENCER Logick 282 Our next labour must be, to set out these scientificall Syllogismes by other properties. 1658 BAXTER Saving Faith viii. 62 But multitudes..discern not this evidence so clearly, as may make it scientifical to them. 1732 BERKELEY Alciphr. VI. §31 Who ever supposed that scientifical proofs were necessary to make a Christian?
2. Designed for the furthering of knowledge.

1597 BEARD Theatre God's Judgem. (1612) 143 This is the diuinitie and goodlie instruction that commeth..from that scientificall Vniuersitie and Colledge of the right reuerend Masters. 1640 HOWELL Dodona's Gr. 42 She is alwaies furnished with nurseries of scientificall graffes, which she disperseth up and downe to unfold the sacred Oracles. 1642 T. TAYLOR God's Judgem. I. I. xxii. (1642) 89 This is the Divinity..that commeth..from that scientifical University.
3. Expert in science; occupied in or concerned with science; treating of science. Now rare.

c1645 HOWELL Lett. (1655) III. ix. 18 And in these modern times, the most speculative and scientificallest men, both in Germany and Italy, seem to adhere to it. 1756-82 WARTON Ess. on Pope I. §iii. 177 No author ever adorned a scientifical treatise with so many beautiful metaphors. 1793 SMEATON Edystone L. §61 note, Consulting my scientifical friends respecting this fact. 1827 HOOD Craniology 36 Those scientifical hotch-potch men. 1840 THACKERAY Paris Sk.-bk. I. 169 Works political, philosophical,..scientifical, theological.
4. Of or pertaining to science. rare.

1777 PRIESTLEY On Air Pref. 16 It is rather to be regretted, however, in such a number of nobility and gentry, so very few should have any taste for scientifical pursuits. 1783 BLAGDEN in Phil. Trans. LXXIII. 372 This was the period of scientifical enterprise. 1796 WANSEY Jrnl. 268 Sense of security, which scientifical pursuits require. 1855 MILMAN Lat. Chr. XIV. viii. (1864) IX. 300 Under a guild,..there had been..more close adherence to rule in the scientifical and technical parts.

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ADDITIONS SERIES 1993


scientifical, a.

Add: Hence scientificality n., the property or quality of being scientifical; = SCIENTIFICITY n.
Orig. as a translation of Nietzsche's Wissenschaftlichkeit.

1909 J. M. KENNEDY tr. Nietzsche's Wks. III. 84 Whither shall the poor fellows fly..where but to the most obtuse, sterile scientificality..? 1978 World Marxist Rev. Oct. 13 World realities, manifested in infinitely different forms..furnish clear proof of the scientificality of Marxism

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"The proper study of mankind is man."
Alexander Pope

Cdsg,
PM me your email or msn and we will talk about it if you like

mbpowerhr,
I'm not even going to comment on you criticism towards my english. You're already looking arrogant yourself, others on this forum know me better than that. (see Anajo, this kind of americans makes us wonder if it's in their blood)

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I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.

Most of those entries in the OED are of an archaic nature. Yes, it could be used (like the horrid misuse of the 'not-a-word' electronical), but is a sad example of word usage and grammar (hence the reason why it's not as commonly used). I'm all for word variation and digging out retired vocabulary, but that just sounds awful.

Forgive me for overreacting. However, I feel Unnil's comment 'but that would be too complex for you to understand' was presumptuous and unfair. Language selection suggests education levels and I found the entry rather confusing as it was sending off mixed messages.

I'm sorry for having standards. And for saying what I think. Perhaps I might have been nicer about it, but I won't justify the reasons why that comment set me off on one. I'm, also, rather new to the forum so I don't know the lexicon nor the dynamics of the 'regulars'. Maybe Unnil's comment wasn't meant to be negative, but the language, or lack thereof, made it feel that way.