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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
viz.
Hi,
"These scientists, viz. Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White are considered the founders of the new theory."
(1) Is "viz" used correctly in this example sentence?
(2) How would you pronounce "viz." in this sentence, as "viz" or "namely"?
(3) Is it true that "viz" is out of date ("namely" is preferable in modern written English)?
(4) "viz." vs "namely" vs "specifically"
There is little/no difference among the three in this and similar context?
mus-te
"These scientists, viz. Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White are considered the founders of the new theory."
(1) Is "viz" used correctly in this example sentence?
(2) How would you pronounce "viz." in this sentence, as "viz" or "namely"?
(3) Is it true that "viz" is out of date ("namely" is preferable in modern written English)?
(4) "viz." vs "namely" vs "specifically"
There is little/no difference among the three in this and similar context?
mus-te
Top answer
" The z is used in the abbreviation because it was the closest letter available in printing press typesetting to a medieval symbol used to denote the Latin word et (and). You can see what the original symbol looked like here:
- " The z is used in the abbreviation because it was the closest letter available in printing press typesetting to a medieval symbol used to denote the Latin word et (and).
- You can see what the original symbol looked like here:
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6 Answers
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videlicet
It is Latin for "that is to say." The z is used in the abbreviation because it was the closest letter available in printing press typesetting to a medieval symbol used to denote the Latin word et (and). You can see what the original symbol looked like here:
It is Latin for "that is to say." The z is used in the abbreviation because it was the closest letter available in printing press typesetting to a medieval symbol used to denote the Latin word et (and). You can see what the original symbol looked like here:
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Sorry, I see I didn't actually answer your questions. 
1. Yes, it is used correctly.
2. You could either say "videlicet
1. Yes, it is used correctly.
2. You could either say "videlicet
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MUSCOVITE"These scientists, viz. Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White are considered the founders of the new theory." (1) Is "viz" used correctly in this example sentence?You need commas: "These scientists, viz., Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White, are considered the founders of the new theory."
MUSCOVITE(2) How would you pronounce
00
Thank you for the additional info, enoon!
Btw, could you please explain (in plain English please :-) the difference between
(1) "These scientists, namely, Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White, are considered the founders of the new theory."
(2) "These scientists, specifically, Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White, are considered the founders of the new th
Btw, could you please explain (in plain English please :-) the difference between
(1) "These scientists, namely, Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White, are considered the founders of the new theory."
(2) "These scientists, specifically, Prof. Smith, Prof. Brown and Dr.White, are considered the founders of the new th
00
It's already specific. "These" takes care of that. If it was, "Some of the most radical scientists ...", then "specifically" would make some sense.
The "namely" might not even need to be there, the way I see it. It wants a lead-in like, "A group of scientists under the auspices of the Committee are applying a new theory to determine the cause of the crop failures. These scientists, namely
The "namely" might not even need to be there, the way I see it. It wants a lead-in like, "A group of scientists under the auspices of the Committee are applying a new theory to determine the cause of the crop failures. These scientists, namely
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