isness

noun

is·​ness

ˈiznə̇s

plural -es

1

a

: the fact that a thing is

at the very outset there is no isness to life

—Yale Review

b

: the quality or state of elemental or factual existence

2

: the state of things as they are

the economics of the soldier who accepts a rough equation between isness and oughtness

—H. J. Laski

—contrasted with oughtness

Word History

Etymology

is entry 1 + -ness

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