Sep 21, 2003 11:31
20 yrs ago
English term
Rajesh
what is the meaning of sceptical here
Non-PRO
English
Other
YYY (Name of country) is active in world politics, too, from a firm base in NATO and the UN, though it has kept a SCEPTICAL distance to Western European integration.
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It has kept its distance because it has its doubts about Western European integration
It has kept its distance because it has its doubts about Western European integration
The meaning of the word "sceptical" means "having doubt". So in this context, it means: "It has kept its distance because it has its doubts about Western European integration".
(I'm pretty sure that this type of form is called a "transferred epithet". P.G. Wodehouse used to use these to great effect: "I lit a satisfied cigarette" and so on.)
The meaning of the word "sceptical" means "having doubt". So in this context, it means: "It has kept its distance because it has its doubts about Western European integration".
(I'm pretty sure that this type of form is called a "transferred epithet". P.G. Wodehouse used to use these to great effect: "I lit a satisfied cigarette" and so on.)
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2 mins
Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
US Court Cert. 1980 Ph.D. 1981
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
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1174
skeptical
Random House
scep·ti·cal (skepÆti kÃl), adj.
skeptical.
skep·ti·cal (skepÆti kÃl), adj.
1. inclined to skepticism; having doubt: a skeptical young woman.
2. showing doubt: a skeptical smile.
3. denying or questioning the tenets of a religion: a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.
4. (cap.) of or pertaining to Skeptics or Skepticism.
Also, sceptical.
[1630–40; SKEPTIC + -AL1]
—skepÆti·cal·ly, adv.
—skepÆti·cal·ness, n.
—Syn. 1. skeptic. See doubtful. 3. unbelieving.
Mike :)
scep·ti·cal (skepÆti kÃl), adj.
skeptical.
skep·ti·cal (skepÆti kÃl), adj.
1. inclined to skepticism; having doubt: a skeptical young woman.
2. showing doubt: a skeptical smile.
3. denying or questioning the tenets of a religion: a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.
4. (cap.) of or pertaining to Skeptics or Skepticism.
Also, sceptical.
[1630–40; SKEPTIC + -AL1]
—skepÆti·cal·ly, adv.
—skepÆti·cal·ness, n.
—Syn. 1. skeptic. See doubtful. 3. unbelieving.
Mike :)
1 hr
Deliberately YYY took no part in Western European integration because of disbelief
The expression "to keep one's distance" means to behave aloofly. One of the meanings of the adjective "sceptical" is inclined to disbelieve things.
Reference:
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