whatness

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

what +‎ -ness

Noun[edit]

whatness (plural whatnesses)

  1. (philosophy) Essence; quiddity.
  2. 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[edit]