Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural en·ti·ties.
- something that has a real existence; thing: corporeal entities.
- being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained: He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.
- essential nature: The entity of justice is universality.
noun plural -ties
- something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things
- existence or being
- the essence or real nature
1590s, from Late Latin entitatem (nominative entitas), from ens (genitive entis) “a thing,” proposed by Caesar as present participle of esse “be” (see is), to render Greek philosophical term to on “that which is” (from neuter of present participle of einai “to be;” see essence). Originally abstract; concrete sense in English is from 1620s.