nothingness
UK: ˈnʌθɪŋnəs | US: ˈnʌθɪŋnəs
n. the state or quality of being nothing; nonexistence
n. emptiness or insignificance
n. (philosophy) the concept of negation or void in metaphysical discourse
The word "nothingness" combines "nothing," derived from Old English "nāthing" (nā<not> + thing<object>), with the suffix "-ness," which forms abstract nouns indicating a state or condition. Originally, "nothing" simply meant "not anything," but by adding "-ness," the term evolved to describe the abstract concept of nonexistence or void. This development reflects a linguistic shift from concrete negation ("nothing") to a philosophical abstraction ("nothingness"), often used in existential or metaphysical contexts.
The meditation focused on the idea of nothingness to achieve mental clarity.
After the explosion, only a sense of nothingness remained in the crater.
Philosophers debate whether nothingness can truly be conceptualized.
Her grief left her feeling a profound nothingness.
The artist used blank space to symbolize nothingness in the painting.