| Title | metaphysical |
|---|---|
| Text |
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Metaphysical noun DATE 1887 : a metaphysical poet of the 17th century meta·phys·i·cal \\-ˈfi-zi-kəl\\ adjective DATE 15th century 1. of or relating to metaphysics 2. a. of or relating to the transcendent or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses b. supernatural 3. highly abstract or abstruse; also : theoretical 4. often capitalized : of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by unconventional imagery English Etymology metaphysical mid-15c., "pertaining to metaphysics," from metaphysic (late 14c.), from M.L. metaphysica (see metaphysics). Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged meta·phys·i·cal \-zə̇kəl, -zēk-\ adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin metaphysicalis, from metaphysica metaphysics + Latin -alis -al 1. : of, relating to, or based on metaphysics < metaphysical truth > < the metaphysical assumption > < idealism which still remained metaphysical although no longer explicitly theistic — Emil Brunner > 2. a. : of or relating to what is conceived as transcendent, supersensible, or transcendental < fleeing from experience to a metaphysical realm — John Dewey > b. : preternatural < fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd — Shakespeare > c. archaic : imaginary , fanciful < those metaphysical persons … John Doe and Richard Roe — Sir Walter Scott > 3. a. : showing an inclination toward or addition to metaphysics < a metaphysical man > < his metaphysical talent — Harriet B. Stowe > b. : highly abstract or abstruse < metaphysical reasoning > < the prohibition of metaphysical questions — Social Research > 4. a. : synthetic a priori < a metaphysical judgment > b. : neither analytic nor subject to empirical verification < the view … that metaphysical statements are not, as scientific statements are, descriptions of real features of fact, but, at best, expressions of attitudes about which rational argument is impossible — W.H.Walsh > 5. : of, relating to, or producing metaphysical poetry < metaphysical school > < metaphysical poem > < metaphysical poet > |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Metaphysics c ta noun plural singular greek meta
Previous card: a translation to metaphrase noun literal archaic merriam-webster's
Up to card list: English learning