Nearby Words

existential

[eg-zi-sten-shuhl, ek-si-] Example Sentences Origin

ex·is·ten·tial

[eg-zi-sten-shuhl, ek-si-]
adjective
1.
pertaining to existence.
2.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of existentialism: an existential hero.

Origin:
1685–95; < Late Latin existentiālis relating to existing. See existence, -al1

ex·is·ten·tial·ly, adverb
non·ex·is·ten·tial, adjective
non·ex·is·ten·tial·ly, adverb
un·ex·is·ten·tial, adjective
un·ex·is·ten·tial·ly, adverb
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Existential is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Example Sentences
  • The future itself would stand in grave danger, for the failure of nuclear deterrence could pose an existential threat to humanity.
  • Terrorism is an existential condition and won't be defeated militarily.
  • For a science writer, this quandary is something close to existential.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
existential (ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl)
 
adj
1.  of or relating to existence, esp human existence
2.  philosophy pertaining to what exists, and is thus known by experience rather than reason; empirical as opposed to theoretical
3.  logic denoting or relating to a formula or proposition asserting the existence of at least one object fulfilling a given condition; containing an existential quantifier
4.  of or relating to existentialism
 
n
5.  a.  an existential statement or formula
 b.  short for existential quantifier
 
exis'tentially
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

existential
1690s, "pertaining to existence," from L.L. existentialis, from existentia (see existence). As a term in logic, from 1819; in philosophy, from 1937, tracing back to the Dan. work of Kierkegaard (see existentialism). Related: Existentially.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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