Quiddity

Pronunciation: /ˈkwɪdɪti/

Definitions of quiddity

noun a distinctive feature or characteristic

Example Sentences

A1 The quiddity of a cat is that it has four legs and a tail.

A2 The quiddity of a flower is its colorful petals and sweet fragrance.

B1 The quiddity of a good leader includes strong communication skills and empathy.

B2 Understanding the quiddity of a complex mathematical theorem requires advanced knowledge.

C1 Philosophers often ponder the quiddity of existence and reality.

C2 The quiddity of a masterpiece painting lies in its intricate details and emotional depth.

Examples of quiddity in a Sentence

formal The philosopher pondered the quiddity of existence during his lecture.

informal I can't quite grasp the quiddity of this math problem.

slang I don't get the quiddity of what she's saying.

figurative The quiddity of her argument lies in its underlying assumptions.

Grammatical Forms of quiddity

• past tense: quidded
• plural: quiddities
• comparative: more quidditous
• superlative: most quidditous
• present tense: quiddities
• future tense: will quiddity
• perfect tense: have quidded
• continuous tense: quidding
• singular: quiddity
• positive degree: quiddity
• infinitive: to quiddity
• gerund: quidding
• participle: quiddied

Origin and Evolution of quiddity

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'quiddity' originated from the Latin term 'quidditas', which is derived from the Latin phrase 'quid est', meaning 'what is'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in medieval philosophy to refer to the essence or nature of something, 'quiddity' has evolved to also mean the essence of a person's character or personality in modern English.