hypostasis
UK[haɪˈpɒstəsɪs]US[haɪˈpɑːstəsɪs]
n
The underlying reality or substance of something as opposed to its attributes.
n
(in Christian theology) Each of the three persons of the Trinity, as constituting a distinct mode of being.
n
(Medicine) The accumulation of fluid or blood in a dependent part of the body due to poor circulation.
Morpheme Breakdown
hypo
stasis
hypo
under
stasis
standing
Etymology
The word hypostasis is a direct borrowing from Late Latin, which itself adopted the term from the Greek 'hypostasis' (ὑπόστασις), meaning "a standing under, a foundation, or substance." This Greek term is a compound of the prefix 'hypo-' (under) and 'stasis' (a standing, from the verb 'histamai', to stand). In ancient Greek philosophy, it was used to denote the underlying reality behind appearances. This literal sense of "that which stands beneath" was adopted into theological discourse, notably by early Christian writers, to articulate the distinct personal subsistence within the divine Trinity. The medical sense, referring to a settling of fluids, logically extends from the core idea of something standing or settling underneath due to gravity.
Analysis
Structure: hypo (under) + stasis (standing)
- hypo: A prefix of Greek origin meaning "under, beneath, below."
- stasis: A combining form from Greek, meaning "a standing, a state of equilibrium, or a stopping."
Examples
The philosopher sought to understand the hypostasis behind the ever-changing phenomena of the natural world.
The doctrine of the Trinity defines one God in three hypostases: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Pulmonary hypostasis is a common post-operative complication where blood pools in the lower parts of the lungs.