quiddity

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English quidite, from Old French quidité, and its source, Late Latin quidditās, from Latin quid (“what”) + -itas (“-ness”) (whence -ity). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkwɪdɪti/ === Noun === quiddity (countable and uncountable, plural quiddities) (philosophy) The essence or inherent nature of a person or thing. (law) A trifle; a nicety or quibble. An eccentricity; an odd feature. ==== Synonyms ==== (essence): nature, quintessence, whatness; See also Thesaurus:essence ==== Coordinate terms ==== (essence): quality quoddity ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== “quiddity”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.