ipse dixit
/ˌɪpsi ˈdɪksɪt/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.58 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "To, avoid, therefore, all Imputation of laying down a Rule for Poſterity, founded only on the Authority of ipſe dixit; for which, to ſay the Truth, we have not the profoundeſt Veneration; […]"
- "Mr. Lincoln has not character enough for integrity and truth, merely on his own ipse dixit, to arraign President Buchanan, President Pierce, and nine Judges of the Supreme Court, not one of whom would be complimented by being put on an equality with him. There is an unpardonable presumption in a man putting himself up before thousands of people, and pretending that his ipse dixit, without proof, without fact, and without truth, is enough to bring down and destroy the purest and best of living men."
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin ipse dīxit (“he himself said it”), calque of Ancient Greek αὐτὸς ἔφα (autòs épha). Originally used by the followers of Pythagoreanism, who claimed this or that proposition to be uttered by Pythagoras himself. Extended during the Middle Ages to the statements of Aristotle, and more famously used in such contexts.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: ipse dīxit
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌɪpsi ˈdɪksɪt/
- British English: /ˌɪpseɪ ˈdɪksɪt/