quiddity

Noun
Synonyms: quibblecavilhaecceity

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objectionsSynonyms: quibblecavil
  2. the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any otherSynonyms: haecceity
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Webster's Dictionary (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]
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