View synonyms for quiddity

quiddity

[ kwid-i-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural quid·di·ties.

Also called what·ness [hwuht, -nis, wuht, ‐]. the quality that makes a thing what it is; the essential nature of a thing.
a trifling nicety of subtle distinction, as in argument.

quiddity

/ ˈkwɪdɪtɪ /

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin quidditās, equivalent to Latin quid “what” + -itās noun suffix; -ity

C16: from Medieval Latin quidditās, from Latin quid what

Next came the redoubtable Mr. Mumbles himself, leading Mrs. Mumbles by the hand, preceded by the young lawyer Quiddity.

On the next interview Mr. Mumbles, delighted with the report of Quiddity, addressed him with truly dignified solemnity.

The lawyer's clerk, whose name was Quiddity, also set about publishing the whole of the matter abroad.

Whatness and affections (quiddity) of being distinguishes between, ii.

Nature herself is maya; natural science must perforce deal with her ineluctable quiddity.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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