metaphysics
[ met-uh-fiz-iks ]
/ ˌmɛt əˈfɪz ɪks /
noun (used with a singular verb)
the branch of philosophy that treats of first principles, includes ontology and cosmology, and is intimately connected with epistemology.
philosophy, especially in its more abstruse branches.
the underlying theoretical principles of a subject or field of inquiry.
(initial capital letter, italics)
a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with first principles, the relation of universals to particulars, and the teleological doctrine of causation.
Origin of metaphysics
1560–70; < Medieval Latin
metaphysica < Medieval Greek (
tà)
metaphysiká (neuter plural), Greek
tà metà tà physiká the (works) after the
Physics; with reference to the arrangement of Aristotle's writings
Words nearby metaphysics
Definition for metaphysics (2 of 2)
Origin of metaphysic
OTHER WORDS FROM metaphysic
un·met·a·phys·ic, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for metaphysics
British Dictionary definitions for metaphysics (1 of 2)
metaphysics
/ (ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪks) /
noun (functioning as singular)
the branch of philosophy that deals with first principles, esp of being and knowing
the philosophical study of the nature of reality, concerned with such questions as the existence of God, the external world, etc
(popularly) abstract or subtle discussion or reasoning
Derived forms of metaphysics
metaphysician (ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən) or metaphysicist (ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪsɪst), nounWord Origin for metaphysics
C16: from Medieval Latin, from Greek
ta meta ta phusika the things after the physics, from the arrangement of the subjects treated in the works of Aristotle
British Dictionary definitions for metaphysics (2 of 2)
metaphysic
/ (ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪk) /
noun
the system of first principles and assumptions underlying an enquiry or philosophical theory
an obsolete word for metaphysician
adjective
rare another word for metaphysical
Cultural definitions for metaphysics
metaphysics
The field in philosophy that studies ultimate questions, such as whether every event has a cause and what things are genuinely real.