Totality: meaning, definitions and examples

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totality

[təʊˈtalɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

philosophy

The whole of something, including all its parts or aspects.

Synonyms

completeness, entirety, wholeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
totality	This word is useful when discussing something in its full extent or entirety. Often used in more formal or academic contexts. To understand the totality of the problem, one must consider all the contributing factors The solar eclipse can be seen in its totality from this location
entirety	This word is suitable when indicating that you are looking at something as a whole, often used to emphasize that all parts are included. He watched the movie in its entirety without taking any breaks The entirety of the project will be reviewed at the meeting
wholeness	Use this word when talking about a state where all parts are integrated, often with a sense of unity or integrity. It's common in discussions about health, well-being, or philosophy. She felt a sense of wholeness after reconciling with her family The therapy aims to restore a feeling of wholeness to individuals
completeness	Apply this word when emphasizing that something has all its parts, or nothing is missing. Common in both formal and casual contexts. The completeness of the report was impressive; it covered every detail She appreciated the completeness of his response during the interview

Examples of usage

The totality of human knowledge
The totality of the universe is beyond our comprehension

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

The state or fact of being total; inclusion of all. The whole amount.

Synonyms

entirety, total, whole.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
totality	Used to refer to the state of being complete or whole, often in more formal or philosophical contexts. The totality of his work was finally recognized with an award During the eclipse, the totality of the moon's coverage of the sun was breathtaking
entirety	Used when emphasizing that something is complete and whole, often highlighting that nothing is left out. You must read the document in its entirety before signing it She dedicated herself to the project in its entirety
whole	Used in common language to refer to something as complete or entire, often with a sense of unity or inclusiveness. She ate the whole cake by herself The whole family came to visit
total	Commonly used in everyday language to refer to a sum or amount, or to describe something complete or absolute. Can sometimes have a negative connotation when referring to a failure or loss. The total amount due is $50 His total disregard for the rules caused problems

Examples of usage

The totality of votes cast
The totality of the population

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'totalitas', which means 'the whole' or 'the entirety'.
It was first used in English around the late 16th century, carrying the same meaning of wholeness.
The prefix 'to-' relates to 'together', capturing the essence of things being combined.

Science

In astronomy, 'totality' often refers to the phase during a solar eclipse when the moon completely covers the sun.
Totality in physics can refer to the complete sum of all parts or energies in a system.
In psychology, the concept of totality is sometimes used to discuss the entirety of a person's experiences and characteristics.

Philosophy

The idea of totality raises questions about how individual parts relate to a greater whole.
Philosophers like Hegel discussed totality in the context of understanding the universe and human experience.
In existentialism, totality can refer to the full experience of existence, including all joys and sorrows.

Culture

In literature, the concept of totality can be found in works that explore themes of completeness or deficiency in relationships.
Music compositions can also embody totality by bringing together different instruments and themes to create a cohesive piece.
Art movements, like Cubism, aim to represent totality by depicting subjects from multiple angles at once.

Mathematics

In set theory, totality is crucial for understanding how different groups are related or combined.
The concept of a total function in mathematics means that every input has a defined output, reflecting completeness.
Statistics often use totality to represent the overall data in a given study or survey, emphasizing its comprehensive nature.

Translations

Translations of the word "totality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 totalidade

🇮🇳 पूर्णता

🇩🇪 Totalität

🇮🇩 totalitas

🇺🇦 тотальність

🇵🇱 totalność

🇯🇵 全体性

🇫🇷 totalité

🇪🇸 totalidad

🇹🇷 bütünlük

🇰🇷 전체성

🇸🇦 كُلِّيَّة

🇨🇿 totalita

🇸🇰 totalita

🇨🇳 整体性

🇸🇮 totalnost

🇮🇸 heild

🇰🇿 толықтық

🇬🇪 სრულყოფილება

🇦🇿 tamlıq

🇲🇽 totalidad

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,867, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10864 therapists
10865 ledge
10866 functionality
10867 totality
10868 awoke
10869 misrepresentation
10870 multinational
...