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Antonyms for quiddity


Grammar : Noun
Spell : kwid-i-tee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkwɪd ɪ ti



Definition of quiddity

Origin :
  • "a trifling nicety in argument, a quibble," 1530s, from Medieval Latin quidditas "the essence of things," in Scholastic philosophy, "that which distinguishes a thing from other things," literally "whatness," from Latin quid "what," neuter of indefinite pronoun quis "somebody, someone or other" (see who). Sense developed from scholastic disputes over the nature of things. Original classical meaning "real essence or nature of a thing" is attested in English from late 14c.
  • As in quibble : noun objection, complaint
  • As in quintessence : noun essence, core
  • As in entity : noun nature of a being
  • As in essence : noun heart, significance
Example sentences :
  • There you indeed appreciate the dead-alive city 'in all its quiddity.'
  • Extract from : « A Day's Tour » by Percy Fitzgerald
  • Aristotle has thus shown how the Essence or Quiddity (τί ἐστι) may become known in this class of cases.
  • Extract from : « Aristotle » by George Grote
  • The suchness of being implies a previously existing being and quiddity.
  • Extract from : « Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1 » by Plotinos (Plotinus)
  • I think that he is right, and that the profitable study of a man is the study which regards him as an oddity, not a quiddity.
  • Extract from : « Romance » by Walter Raleigh
  • The lawyer's clerk, whose name was Quiddity, also set about publishing the whole of the matter abroad.
  • Extract from : « Forgotten Tales of Long Ago » by E. V. Lucas
  • On the next interview Mr. Mumbles, delighted with the report of Quiddity, addressed him with truly dignified solemnity.
  • Extract from : « Forgotten Tales of Long Ago » by E. V. Lucas
  • Whatness and affections (quiddity) of being distinguishes between, ii.
  • Extract from : « Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4 » by Plotinos (Plotinus)

Synonyms for quiddity

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