entity

[ en-ti-tee ]
/ ˈɛn tɪ ti /

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.

Origin of entity

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin entitās, equivalent to enti- (stem of ēns), present participle of esse to be + -tās -ty2

OTHER WORDS FROM entity

en·ti·ta·tive [en-ti-tey-tiv] /ˈɛn tɪˌteɪ tɪv/, adjective en·ti·ta·tive·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for entity

British Dictionary definitions for entity

entity
/ (ˈɛntɪtɪ) /

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

Derived forms of entity

entitative (ˈɛntɪtətɪv), adjective

Word Origin for entity

C16: from Medieval Latin entitās, from ēns being; see ens