Entity
From Wikinfo
An entity is a thing that has a distinct, separate, reality.
The general connotation of the word 'entity' is often of a being/creature/organism/lifeform with some kind of intelligence but not necessarily a concrete material existence. The concept of God in Judaism and Christianity is often referred to as an 'Entity' with no corporeal form.
However, the word 'entity' does not necessarily imply that the thing in question is intelligent, or living, and can be used of inanimate objects or non-material concepts. In this sense, the word is often just used as a synonym for "thing".
In law, an entity is something capable of bearing legal rights and obligations�legal entities generally include living persons and commercial entities.
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Entity" http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity September 24, 2003
