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peccant

adjective
pec·​cant | \ ˈpe-kÉ™nt How to pronounce peccant (audio) \

Definition of peccant

1 : guilty of a moral offense : sinning
2 : violating a principle or rule : faulty
Other Words from peccant When Should You Use peccant? Learn More about peccant

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Other Words from peccant

peccantly adverb

When Should You Use peccant?

Peccant comes from the Latin verb peccare, which means "to sin," "to commit a fault," or "to stumble," and is related to the better-known English word peccadillo ("a slight offense"). Etymologists have suggested that peccare might be related to Latin ped- or pes, meaning "foot," by way of an unattested adjective, peccus, which may have been used to mean "having an injured foot" or "stumbling." Whether or not a connection truly exists between peccant and peccus, peccant itself involves stumbling of a figurative kind-making errors, for example, or falling into immoral, corrupt, or sinful behavior."

First Known Use of peccant

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for peccant

Latin peccant-, peccans, present participle of peccare to stumble, sin

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More Definitions for peccant

peccant

adjective
pec·​cant | \ ˈpek-É™nt How to pronounce peccant (audio) \

Medical Definition of peccant

: causing disease specific virtues…of drugs, as opposed to the unspecific adjustment of "peccant humours," were recognized in the 16th and 17th centuries— Joseph Needham

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