metaphysical

metaphysical
metaphysical (adj.) early 15c., "pertaining to metaphysics," from methaphesik (late 14c.) + -AL (Cf. -al), and in part from M.L. metaphysicalis, from M.L. metaphysica (see METAPHYSICS (Cf. metaphysics)). It came to be used in the sense of "abstract, speculative" (e.g. by Johnson, who applied it to certain 17c. poets, notably Donne and Cowley, who used "witty conceits" and abstruse imagery). Related: Metaphysically.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Metaphysical — Met a*phys ic*al, a. [Cf. F. m[ e]taphysique. See {Metaphysics}.] 1. Of or pertaining to metaphysics. [1913 Webster] 2. According to rules or principles of metaphysics; as, metaphysical reasoning. [1913 Webster] 3. Preternatural or supernatural.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Metaphysical — may refer to: Metaphysics, a branch of philosophy dealing with aspects of existence and the theory of knowledge The supernatural Metaphysical poets, a poetic school from seventeenth century England who correspond with baroque period in European… …   Wikipedia

  • metaphysical — index incomprehensible Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • metaphysical — [adj] not physical; without physical presence abstract, abstruse, bodiless, deep, difficult, discarnate, esoteric, eternal, fundamental, high flown, ideal, immaterial, impalpable, incorporeal, insubstantial, intangible, intellectual, jesuitic,… …   New thesaurus

  • metaphysical — ► ADJECTIVE 1) relating to metaphysics. 2) transcending physical matter. 3) referring to a group of 17th century English poets (in particular John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew Marvell, and Henry Vaughan) known for their subtlety of thought and… …   English terms dictionary

  • metaphysical — [met΄ə fiz′i kəl] adj. [ML metaphysicalis] 1. of, connected with, or having the nature of, metaphysics 2. very abstract, abstruse, or subtle: often a derogatory usage 3. beyond the physical or material; incorporeal, supernatural, or… …   English World dictionary

  • metaphysical — [[t]me̱təfɪ̱zɪk(ə)l[/t]] ADJ: usu ADJ n Metaphysical means relating to metaphysics. ...metaphysical questions like personal responsibility for violence …   English dictionary

  • Metaphysical — noun Date: 1887 a metaphysical poet of the 17th century …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • metaphysical — adj. Metaphysical is used with these nouns: ↑implication, ↑poet, ↑speculation …   Collocations dictionary

  • metaphysical — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. abstruse, speculative, esoteric, transcendental. See thought. II (Roget s IV) modif. Syn. mystical, abstract, spiritual; see difficult 2 , transcendental . III (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) (VOCABULARY …   English dictionary for students

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