Whatnesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. The essence or nature of being or existence as it is understood in a given context
  2. The quality or state that defines something’s existence or reality, often debated in philosophical discussions
  3. Referring to the specific characteristics and attributes that determine what something fundamentally is

Etymology: The noun in question is a plural form derived from the abstract noun "whatness," which itself is rooted in philosophical discourse. "Whatness" captures the essence or nature of something—what it is in its fundamental being, distinct from its particular instances or appearances. This term is closely linked to the medieval Latin philosophical term "quidditas," coined by scholastic philosophers to discuss the intrinsic "what it is" of a thing. English speakers adapted "whatness" by combining the interrogative pronoun "what" with the suffix "-ness," which is used to form nouns indicating a quality or state. This construction likely emerged in English by the early modern period, influenced by the rise of philosophical and theological debates where precise language about essence and identity was necessary. The suffix "-ness" here transforms the question "what?" into a concept denoting the inherent quality or nature of something. The plural form "whatnesses" extends this notion to multiple instances of such essences or natures. While it is uncommon in everyday language, it appears in philosophical or literary texts when discussing various entities' differing essential qualities or identities. This pluralization follows standard English grammar rules for forming plurals of abstract nouns ending in "-ness." In sum, this word embodies a linguistic bridge between everyday English and the technical vocabulary of metaphysics, reflecting centuries of intellectual inquiry into the nature of existence and identity. Its creation shows how English can generate abstract nouns from simple interrogatives to express complex philosophical ideas.

Synonyms: essences, natures, qualities, characteristics, attributes

Antonyms: INVALID