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ontology

[on-tol-uh-jee]
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noun
  1. the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.
  2. (loosely) metaphysics.
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Origin of ontology

From the New Latin word ontologia, dating back to 1715–25. See onto-, -logy
Related formson·to·log·i·cal [on-tl-oj-i-kuh l] /ˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, on·to·log·ic, on·tol·o·gis·tic [on-tol-uh-jis-tik] /ɒnˌtɒl əˈdʒɪs tɪk/, adjectiveon·tol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ontologist

Historical Examples

  • Associated words: ontology, metaphysics, ontological, ontologist.

    Putnam's Word Book

    Louis A. Flemming

British Dictionary definitions for ontologist

ontology

noun
  1. philosophy the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being
  2. logic the set of entities presupposed by a theory
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Derived Formsontological, adjectiveontologically, adverb
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 ontologist

ontology

n.

"metaphysical science or study of being," 1660s (Gideon Harvey), from Modern Latin ontologia (c.1600), from onto- + -logy.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper