sciential

adjective

sci·en·tial | \ sī-ˈen(t)-shəl

How to pronounce sciential (audio)

\

Definition of sciential

1 : relating to or producing knowledge or science

2 : having efficient knowledge : capable

Literature and Sciential

You might expect sciential, which derives from Latin scientia (meaning "knowledge"), to be used mostly in technical papers and descriptions of scientific experiments. In truth, however, sciential has long been a favorite of playwrights and poets. It appears in the works of Ben Jonson, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats, among others. Keats made particularly lyrical use of it in his narrative poem "Lamia," which depicts a doomed love affair between the Greek sorceress Lamia and a human named Lycius. In the poem, Hermes transforms Lamia from a serpent into a beautiful woman, "Not one hour old, yet of sciential brain."

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sciential

Listen to Our Podcast about sciential

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near sciential

scientia scientiarum

Statistics for sciential

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for sciential

The first known use of sciential was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on sciential

What made you want to look up sciential? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

flounce

to move with exaggerated bouncy motions

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ