entity

[en-ti-tee]

noun

plural

entities 

1. something that has a real existence; thing.

   corporeal entities.

2. being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained.

   He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.

3. essential nature.

   The entity of justice is universality.

entity

/ ˈɛntɪtətɪv, ˈɛntɪtɪ /

noun

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

2. existence or being

3. the essence or real nature

Other Word Forms

• entitative adjective
• entitatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin entitās, from enti-, stem of ēns “being” (present participle of esse “to be”; essence ( def. ) ) + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

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

Example Sentences

The Forest Service — the largest federal firefighting entity in the country — will continue its work geared toward responding to and preparing for wildfires, according to the plan.

From Los Angeles Times

But by the 1980s, much chimp behavior was being interpreted in ways that would have been labeled anthropomorphism — ascribing human traits to non-human entities — decades earlier.

From Los Angeles Times

Possible additional curbs on liabilities to be studied could include limits on attorney fees, and economic and non-economic damages due to claims by insurers and public entities, as well as those outside fire zones.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Harbinson said that the administrators had also secured a sale of the Claire's business in Switzerland, while discussions will continue regarding the fate of other Claire's entities in France, Italy and Poland.

From BBC

Later, the man adds, “The Joker is not a person. Neither is it an entity that controls this world. Nor an entity that oversees the games we play. The Joker is just a card.”

From Salon

Related Words

• body 
• individual