Category

kat′e-gor-i, n. what may be affirmed of a cla : a cla or order.— adjs. Cate gore mat′ic , capable of being used by itself as a term; Categor′ical , positive: absolute: without exception.— adv. Categor′ically , absolutely: without qualification: expre ly.— n. Categor′icalne , the quality of being absolute and unqualified.— n.pl. Cat′egories ( phil. ), the highest cla es under which objects of philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a comprehensive cla ification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of the a prior i or formal element in rational cognition ( quantity , quality , relation , modality , .).— v.t. Cat′egorise , to place in a category or list: to cla .— n. Categor′ist , one who categorises.— Categorical imperative , in the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law, irrespective of every ulterior end or aim—universally authoritative, belonging to the fixed law of nature—'Act from a maxim at all times fit for law universal.' [Gr. katēgori a , katēgoros , an accuser, kata , down, against, agora , a embly.]