quiddit, quidIty

[Low Lat. quiddit as =the e ence or nature of a thing, what it is, from Lat. quid =what, neut. sing. of qui =who; French quiddité.] 1. In scholastic philosophy, the e ence of a thing, comprehending both the substance and the qualities; that which distinguishes a thing from others, and makes it what it is. "Where entity and quiddity , The ghosts of defunct bodies fly." Butler: Hudibras, i. 1,148. 2. A quibble; a trifling nicety; a cavil, a quip. "Such quirks and quiddities ."- Burton : Anatomy of Melancholy , p. 676. quid-dle, *quid-dell, v . i . [From quid =what. [QUIDDITY.] This form is probably affected by quibble (q. v.).] To spend or waste time in trifling employments; to trifle over useful subjects; to joke. "Set up your buffing base, and we will quiddell upon it."-Edwards: Damon and Pythias. quid-dle, 8. [QUIDDLE, v.] One who busies himself about trifles; a trifler, a fidget. quid'-dler, s. [English quiddl (e), v.; -er.] The same as QUIDDLE, 8. (q. v.). *quid-If-ic-all, adj . [QUIDDITY.) Triflingly subtle. "A quidnunc is an almanack of state." Young: Love of Fame , iv. 22. sound. qui-es'-çençe, qui-es-çen-çỹ, subst. [Latin quiescent i a, from quiescens quiescent (q. v.); Fr. quiescence.] I. Ordinary Language: IMG:content-0105.png:[blocks in formation] chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; IMG:content-0106.png:[blocks in formation] 1. In a state of rest; still, not moving, motionle ; as, to lie quiet . 2. Free from disturbance or annoyance; tranquil, peaceful, undisturbed. "You live, sir, in these dales a quiet life." Words worth: The Brothers. 3. Free from emotion, calm, patient, contented. "A meek and quiet spirit."-1 Peter iii. 4. 4. Retired, secluded, undisturbed. "The quiet seclusion of Dingley Dell." -Dickens: Pick wick , ch. viii. 5. Free from fu , bustle, or formality; not formal or ceremonious. 6. Peaceable; not causing noise or disturbance; not giving trouble. 7. Not glaring; not showy or gaudy; not such as to attract notice; as, quiet colors, quiet dre . B. As substantive: 1. A state of rest or repose; the state of a thing not in motion; quiescence. 2. Tranquillity, freedom from disturbance or alarm; peace, peacefulne . "Her house is sacked, her quiet interrupted." Shakesp.: Rape of Lucrece, 1,170. 3. Freedom from anxiety, agitation, or emotion; peace of mind, calmne , patience, placidne . "Secure the sacred quiet of thy mind." Dryden: Ovid; Metamorphosis x. *(1) At quiet : At peace, peaceful. (Judges xviii. 27.) IMG:content-0107.png:[blocks in formation] motion in. 1. To bring to a state of rest or quiet; to stop 2. To cause to be quiet, to soothe, to calm down, to appease, to lull, to pacify, to tranquilize. quieted his fears."-Southey: Life of Nelson , i. 84. "But the answer which he received from government B. In trans.: To become quiet, calm, or still. *qui-et-age (age as Ig), s. [Eng. quiet; -age .] Peace, quiet, quietne . "Instead thereof sweet peace and quiet age ." Spenser: F. Q., IV. iii. 43. IMG:content-0108.png:[blocks in formation]