verb / interjection
sic
To urge an animal or person to attack someone.
The villain sics his dogs on anyone who enters the yard.
Etymology
Sic and sick are variants of a pursuit command associated with seek. They are unrelated to Latin sic, “thus,” and sick, “ill.”
More examples
- "Sic 'em!" the handler shouts, pointing at the intruders.
- She threatened to sic her lawyers on the dishonest contractor.
- He was fined for siccing his dog on a neighbor.
Forms
sic · sics · sicced · sicked · siccing · sicking
Similar words
- incite
- Emphasizes provoking action, not directing an attacker at someone.
- unleash
- Emphasizes releasing restraint rather than explicitly urging an attack.