quiddity

• Nom désignant la nature intime ou l'essence d'une chose, ce qui la distingue des autres, ou encore une distinction subtile et souvent oiseuse, voire un sophisme dans une dispute.

A noun referring to the inherent nature or essence of something that distinguishes it from others, or a subtle, often irrelevant, distinction or quibble in an argument.

1. Essence or fundamental natureC2formal

   The inherent quality or essence that makes something what it is, distinguishing it from all other things.

   quiddité

   • The quiddity of the concept was debated by philosophers for centuries.
   • He sought to understand the quiddity of human consciousness.
   • The artist captured the quiddity of the landscape in her painting.

   Synonymescoreessenceheartnatureprinciplequintessencesoulsubstance

2. Trivial or irrelevant distinctionC2formal

   A subtle or overly refined point of argument, often used to evade the main issue.

   Distinction oiseuse

   • The lawyer's argument was full of quiddities that distracted from the main point.
   • Stop raising quiddities and address the real problem.
   • His speech was criticized for its quiddities and lack of substance.

   Synonymescavilhairsplittingnicetyquibblesubtletytechnicality