Entity
'entɪti
Definitions
A thing with distinct and independent existence; a being, whether abstract or concrete.
'entɪti
A thing with distinct and independent existence.
The government is considered a sovereign entity.
💡 Simply: Imagine a company. It's a thing that does business and can even own stuff, right? That's an entity! Anything that has its own identity and can be considered separate is an entity.
👶 For kids: A thing that's its own special thing! Like a dog, a tree, or a star. It's something that *is*.
More Examples
A corporation is a legal entity, capable of entering into contracts.
In the database, each customer is an entity.
How It's Used
"The concept of a self is a philosophical entity."
"The company is a legal entity separate from its owners."
"A database entity represents a real-world object or concept."
From Late Latin *entitas*, derived from Latin *ens* (being, thing), which comes from the verb *esse* (to be). It entered English in the 17th century.
Used in philosophical and theological discussions to denote a being or existence, later expanded to include any distinct thing or object.
Memory tip
Think of it as something that *exists* on its own, having its own unique properties.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: ens (being)