entity
[en-ti-tee]
- something that has a real existence; thing: corporeal entities.
- being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained: He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.
- essential nature: The entity of justice is universality.
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Origin of entity
1590–1600; < Medieval Latin entitās, equivalent to enti- (stem of ēns), present participle of esse to be + -tās -ty2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
entity
- something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things
- existence or being
- the essence or real nature
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Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin entitās, from ēns being; see ens
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for entity's
entity
n.
1590s, from Late Latin entitatem (nominative entitas), from ens (genitive entis) "a thing," proposed by Caesar as present participle of esse "be" (see is), to render Greek philosophical term to on "that which is" (from neuter of present participle of einai "to be;" see essence). Originally abstract; concrete sense in English is from 1620s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper