thetic

[ thet-ik, thee-tik ]

adjective

1. positive; dogmatic.

thetic

/ ˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

1. (in classical prosody) of, bearing, or relating to a metrical stress
2. positive and arbitrary; prescriptive

Derived Forms

• ˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thetic¹

1670–80; < Greek thetikós, equivalent to thet ( ós ) placed, set (verbid of tithénai to lay down) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of thetic¹

C17: from Greek thetikos, from thetos laid down, from tithenai to place

Example Sentences

It can be a poignant trait, as with Jay Gatsby; or an evil one, as with Hannibal Lecter; or a creepy one, as with Annie Wilkes; or a mesmerizing one, as with Willy Wonka; or an epic one, as with Charles Foster Kane; or a pa­thetic one, as with Norma Desmond.

From New York Times

There are, however, some evolutionary implications of the synes­thetic smoothness hypothesis and of the frequency code.

From Slate

In their defense, Benjamin’s writing, which by 1934 had adopted the form of imagistic and thetic collage that would characterize all his late essays, was like nothing that had come before and—except in pale imitation—like nothing since.

From Salon

Its new commander, Gen. George C. McClellan, like a good Yankee, was in principle sympa­thetic to advanced technology.

From Slate

A detailed and largely sympa­thetic Columbia Journalism Review account of a Patch editor in upstate New York described how the service logically focused on more affluent communi­ties.

From Salon

Related Words

• arbitrary
• recommended