whatness

English

Etymology

From what +‎ -ness.

Noun

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

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