Ontology Definition

ŏn-tŏlə-jē
ontologies
noun
The branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being, reality, or ultimate substance.
Webster's New World
A particular theory about being or reality.
Webster's New World

(computer science, information science) A structure of concepts or entities within a domain, organized by relationships; a system model.

Wiktionary
(logic) A logical system involving theory of classes, developed by Stanislaw Lesniewski (1886-1939).
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
  • the nature of being
  • philosophy of existence
  • cosmology

Other Word Forms of Ontology

Noun

Singular:
ontology
Plural:
ontologies

Origin of Ontology

  • First known English use 1663: Archelogia philosophica nova; or, New principles of Philosophy. Containing Philosophy in general, Metaphysicks or Ontology, Dynamilogy or a Discourse of Power, Religio Philosophi or Natural Theology, Physicks or Natural philosophy, by Gideon Harvey (1636/7-1702), London, Thomson, 1663.

    From Wiktionary

  • Originally Latin ontologia (1606, Ogdoas Scholastica, by Jacob Lorhard (Lorhardus)), from Ancient Greek ὤν (ōn, “on"), present participle of εἰμί (eimi, “being, existing, essence") + λόγος (logos, “account").

    From Wiktionary

  • Popularized as a philosophical term by German philosopher Christian Wolff (1679-1754).

    From Wiktionary

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