entity

[en-ti-tee]

noun, plural en·ti·ties.

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.

Origin of entity

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin entitās, equivalent to enti- (stem of ēns), present participle of esse to be + -tās -ty²

Related formsen·ti·ta·tive

[en-ti-tey-tiv] /ˈɛn tɪˌteɪ tɪv/, adjectiveen·ti·ta·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for entity's

entity

noun plural -ties

something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things

existence or being

the essence or real nature

Derived Formsentitative (ˈɛntɪtətɪv), adjective

Word Origin for entity

C16: from Medieval Latin entitās, from ēns being; see ens

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for entity's

entity

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.