QUIDDITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does quiddity mean? 

• QUIDDITY (noun)
  The noun QUIDDITY has 2 senses:

1. an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections

2. the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other

  Familiarity information: QUIDDITY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• QUIDDITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

cavil; quibble; quiddity

Hypernyms ("quiddity" is a kind of...):

equivocation; evasion (a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

haecceity; quiddity

Hypernyms ("quiddity" is a kind of...):

center; centre; core; essence; gist; heart; heart and soul; inwardness; kernel; marrow; meat; nitty-gritty; nub; pith; substance; sum (the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience)