'Hypostases' definitions:

Definition of 'Hypostases'

From: GCIDE
  • Hypostasis \Hy*pos"ta*sis\, n.; pl. Hypostases. [L., fr. Gr. ? subsistence, substance, fr. ? to stand under; ? under + ? to stand, middle voice of ? to cause to stand. See Hypo-, and Stand.]
  • 1. That which forms the basis of anything; underlying principle; a concept or mental entity conceived or treated as an existing being or thing. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Theol.) Substance; subsistence; essence; person; personality; -- used by the early theologians to denote any one of the three subdivisions of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The Council of Alexandria (a. d. 362) defined hypostasis as synonymous with person. --Schaff-Herzog. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Principle; an element; -- used by the alchemists in speaking of salt, sulphur, and mercury, which they considered as the three principles of all material bodies. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Med.) That which is deposited at the bottom of a fluid; sediment. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Hypostases'