secondary quality
noun
: a mode of perception induced by some character of an object that does not coincide with the perception itself
such qualities, which in truth are nothing in the objects themselves, but powers to produce various sensations in us by their primary qualities, i.e. by the bulk, figure, texture, and motion of their insensible parts, as colors, sounds, tastes, etc., these I call secondary qualities—
John Locke
John Lockecontrasted with primary quality, tertiary quality
Dictionary Entries Near secondary quality
Cite this Entry
“Secondary quality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondary%20quality. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share