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pataphysics

(pa′tə fiz′iks)

noun

the study of a realm beyond that of metaphysics: a notion devised by French absurdist writers as a parody of modern science

Related Forms:

pataphysical adjective
pataphysician noun

See pataphysics in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun (used with a sing. verb)

The French absurdist concept of a philosophy or science dedicated to studying what lies beyond the realm of metaphysics, intended as a parody of the methods and theories of modern science and often expressed in nonsensical language.

Origin:

Origin: French pataphysique

Origin: , alteration of Greek ta epi ta metaphusika, the (works) after the metaphysics (pseudo-title of a work by Aristotle modeled on ta meta ta phusika, the (works) after the Physics, Aristotle's Metaphysics)

Origin: : epi, after; see epi-

Origin: + metaphusika, metaphysics; see metaphysics

Related Forms:

paˌta·physˈi·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adjective

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