Quiddity

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{word wednesday}

Words, even short and simple ones, have the power of nuance, symbolism, and multiple meanings. Most words have been assigned to their definition, but some words somehow give off a vibe of their meaning — as if their ‘name’ was discovered rather than decided.

I agree with Jack that the right words will be simple, but have found that simplicity can and will look different for each occasion. Sometimes the simplest description may use a big or complicated sounding word.

quid·di·ty   (noun)

• The inherent nature or essence of someone or something.
• A distinctive feature; a peculiarity: “his quirks and quiddities”.
• Synonyms: essence – substance – gist – pith – marrow – inwardness

It almost sounds made up, like something you would utter when you’re struggling to find the right word to get at the it of something or someone. Like suddenly you’d blurt out “Quiddity!” And then you’d think, “Yes. That’s it exactly.” (And then, probably end up laughing to yourself.)

May not be the most beautiful sounding word (or the easiest to fit into an everyday conversation), but I like that somehow inherent nature or essence weren’t quite getting at it — and suddenly, quiddity was born.

 have you come across a word lately that you knew what it meant
simply because it sounded like it had to mean that?

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