hypostatize

1 of 2

verb

hy·​pos·​ta·​tize hī-ˈpä-stə-ˌtīz 

hypostatized; hypostatizing

transitive verb

: to attribute real identity to (a concept)

hypostatization

hī-ˌpä-stə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

hypostatization

2 of 2

noun

hy·​pos·​ta·​ti·​za·​tion hīˌpästətə̇ˈzāshən 

plural -s

1

: an act or instance of hypostatizing : reification

realism is built on the fallacy of hypostatization, the supposition that an abstract term must somehow have a denotation

—T. T. Lafferty

2

: something that is hypostatized

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Greek hypostatos substantially existing, from hyphistasthai

First Known Use

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypostatize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize