hyle en · NOUN
Etymology
From Medieval Latin hyle, from Ancient Greek ὕλη (húlē, “wood, matter”), particularly in Aristotle as πρώτη ὕλη (prṓtē húlē, “protomatter, fundamental undifferentiated matter”).
Meanings
- (obsolete, uncountable) Synonym of matter, physical substance.
- (uncountable) Synonym of protomatter, the first matter of the cosmos from which the four elements arose according to Empedocles and Aristotle.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| hyla | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| ylem | alternative | lexicographic | |
| hile | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic |
Deriveds
hylical · hyletics · hylist · hylism