quiddity

quid·di·ty

noun \ˈkwi-də-tē\

plural quid·di·ties

Definition of QUIDDITY

1

: whatever makes something the type that it is : essence

2

a : a trifling point : quibble b : crotchet, eccentricity

Examples of QUIDDITY

1. <for all of her quiddities, she is a very wise and generous lady>
2. <Rembrandt's genius was his unparalleled ability to render a person's quiddity in a single portrait.>

Origin of QUIDDITY

Middle English quidite, from Medieval Latin quidditat-, quidditas essence, from Latin quid what, neuter of quis who — more at who

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to QUIDDITY

Synonyms: crotchet, curiosity, eccentricity, erraticism, individualism, kink, mannerism, oddity, peculiarity, idiosyncrasy, quip, quirk, singularity, tic, trick, twist

Related Words: affectation, airs; attribute, characteristic, mark, property, trait; custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), way, wont; addiction; abnormality, neuroticism, perversion, weirdness; disposition, genius, leaning, partiality; bent, inclination, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn; attitude, character, humor, identity, individuality, nature, personality, temperament

Near Antonyms: conformity, sameness

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