noun

ontology

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Ontology (noun) means the area of philosophy that looks at what it means for something to exist.

noun

The area of philosophy that looks at what it means for something to exist.

The particular set of things that a theory or view treats as real, and how they relate to one another.

"Research centered on ontology and security argues that the far-right utilizes cultural anxieties to recruit members of dominant cultures within a society who feel left behind in some way." — Julien Morein, Murdoch Murdoch: A Case Study in Threats to Ontological Security in Far-Right Propaganda (2020)

One thinker's or school's account of the basic kinds of thing that exist.

"The answer to the controversial question of whether Aristotle's ontology includes non-substantial particulars, then, is that it does." — C. D. C. Reeve, Substantial Knowledge: Aristotle's Metaphysics (2000)

A formal logical system based on a theory of classes, created by Stanisław Leśniewski (1886–1939).

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

A learned borrowing from New Latin ontologia (1606, Ogdoas Scholastica, by Jacob Lorhard (Lorhardus)), from Ancient Greek ὤν, ὄντος (ṓn, óntos, 'being'), the present participle of εἰμί (eimí, 'being, existing, essence'), combined with λόγος (lógos, 'account'). By surface analysis it is onto- + -logy. Its first known use in English was in 1663, in Archelogia philosophica nova; or, New principles of Philosophy. Containing Philosophy in general, Metaphysicks or Ontology, Dynamilogy or a Discourse of Power, Religio Philosophi or Natural Theology, Physicks or Natural philosophy, by Gideon Harvey (1636–1702), London, Thomson, 1663. It was popularized as a philosophical term by the German philosopher Christian Wolff (1679–1754).

Rhymes for ontology

eulogy apology zoology biology ecology analogy geology trilogy etiology pedagogy mycology virology

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of ontology?

"ontology" (noun) means the area of philosophy that looks at what it means for something to exist.

What are the different meanings of ontology?

"ontology" has 3 main meanings: 1. The area of philosophy that looks at what it means for something to exist; 2. The particular set of things that a theory or view treats as real, and how they relate to one another; 3. One thinker's or school's account of the basic kinds of thing that exist.