An independent thing; that which contains in itself all the conditions essential to individuality; that which forms of itself a complete whole; medically, denoting a separate and distinct disease or condition. [L. ens (ent-), being, pres. p. of esse, to be]
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en·ti·ty 'en(t)-ət-ē n, pl -ties something (as a disease or condition) that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality <whether the common cold is an \entity has been debated (Yr. Bk. of Med.)>
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en·ti·ty (enґtĭ-te) [L. ens being] an independently existing thing; a reality.Medical dictionary. 2011.