whatness

English

Etymology

what +‎ -ness

Noun

whatness (plural whatnesses)

(philosophy) Essence; quiddity.
Quality; quantity.
- 1961, Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Metaphysics of Aristotle: Volume 2:
  For in one sense whatness signifies substance and this particular thing, and in another sense it signifies each of the other categories, such as quantity, quality and the like.

Synonyms

(essence; quiddity): nature, quintessence; See also Thesaurus:essence

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