peccant

adjective

pec·​cant ˈpe-kənt 

1

: guilty of a moral offense : sinning

2

: violating a principle or rule : faulty

peccantly adverb

Did you know?

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.

Examples of peccant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And even peccant democracies like Australia’s can change course. —The Economist, 19 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

peccant

adjective

pec·​cant ˈpek-ənt 

: 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