Definition of
Quiddity
- (noun, cognition) the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other
- (noun, communication) an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
via WordNet, Princeton University
Alternate forms of Quiddity
Hypernyms: center, centre, core, equivocation, essence, evasion, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, pith, substance, sum
Origin of the word Quiddity
- 1539, "captious nicety in argument" from M.L. quidditas, lit. "whatness," from L. quid "what," neut. of quis (see who). Sense developed from scholastic disputes over the nature of things. Original meaning "real essence or nature of a thing" is attested in Eng. from 1569. more
via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper