'Quiddities' definitions:

Definition of 'Quiddities'

From: GCIDE
  • Quiddity \Quid"di*ty\, n.; pl. Quiddities. [LL. quidditas, fr. L. quid what, neut. of quis who, akin to E. who: cf. F. quiddit['e].]
  • 1. The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What is it? " The degree of nullity and quiddity." --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • The quiddity or characteristic difference of poetry as distinguished from prose. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A trifling nicety; a cavil; a quibble. [1913 Webster]
  • We laugh at the quiddities of those writers now. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Quiddities'