hypostasis

[ hahy-pos-tuh-sis, hi- ]

noun

, plural hy·pos·ta·ses [hahy-, pos, -t, uh, -seez, hi-].

1. Metaphysics.
   1. something that stands under and supports; foundation.
   2. the underlying or essential part of anything as distinguished from attributes; substance, essence, or essential principle.
2. Theology.
   1. one of the three real and distinct substances in the one undivided substance or essence of God.
   2. a person of the Trinity.
   3. the one personality of Christ in which His two natures, human and divine, are united.
3. Medicine/Medical.
   1. the accumulation of blood or its solid components in parts of an organ or body due to poor circulation.
   2. such sedimentation, as in a test tube.

hypostasis

/ ˌhaɪpəˈstætɪk; haɪˈpɒstəsɪs /

noun

1. metaphysics the essential nature of a substance as opposed to its attributes
2. Christianity
   1. any of the three persons of the Godhead, together constituting the Trinity
   2. the one person of Christ in which the divine and human natures are united
3. the accumulation of blood in an organ or part, under the influence of gravity as the result of poor circulation
4. See epistasis
   another name for epistasis

Derived Forms

• ˌhypoˈstatically, adverb
• hypostatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypostasis¹

1580–90; < Late Latin < Greek hypóstasis that which settles at the bottom; substance, nature, essence, equivalent to hypo- hypo- + stásis standing, stasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypostasis¹

C16: from Late Latin: substance, from Greek hupostasis foundation, from huphistasthai to stand under, from hypo- + histanai to cause to stand

Example Sentences

In Plotinus it is the first stage in the unfoldment of the Godhead, and is a distinct hypostasis, though not a person.

From Project Gutenberg

It is rather a potential human individual, a nature not yet developed into a person or hypostasis.

From Project Gutenberg

The consequences of a hypostasis of the good are no less interesting than its causes.

From Project Gutenberg

This involved, of course, its hypostasis as the metaphysical reality of supreme importance.

From Project Gutenberg

Evil is here said to be a hypostasis in itself, and imparts evil qualities to other things.

From Project Gutenberg