Antonyms for quiddities

Grammar : Noun

Spell : kwid-i-tee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈkwɪd ɪ ti

Definition of quiddities

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 :

What but subtleties of the Scotists: quiddities, formalities, etc.!
Extract from : « Erasmus and the Age of Reformation » by Johan Huizinga

Of such are the quips and the quiddities with which the piece abounds.
Extract from : « A Book of Burlesque » by Willam Davenport Adams

For the rest, the quips and quiddities are in intentional disorder.
Extract from : « Quips and Quiddities » by William Davenport Adams

They could have set opinion right about the efficacy of the syllogism, and the virtue of entities and quiddities.
Extract from : « Diderot and the Encyclopaedists (Vol 1 of 2) » by John Morley

He knew his man, and loved him; and these quips and quiddities were received in the spirit which begat them.
Extract from : « The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3) » by Alexander Wheelock Thayer

He would not have overthrown one of her quiddities for the world; it would be taking away a part of his capital in existence.
Extract from : « The Pearl of Orr's Island » by Harriet Beecher Stowe

He feared his own deficiencies in 'the forms, quirks and quiddities,' which he saw could be learned only by early habit.
Extract from : « James Boswell » by William Keith Leask

But in the midst of her quips and quiddities, she would sometimes break off to talk of Barbara.
Extract from : « Barbara Lynn » by Emily J. Jenkinson

Synonyms for quiddities

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019