spatialadj.
/ˈspeɪʃəl/ 1. Having extension in space; occupying or taking up space; consisting of or characterized by space.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective] > having property of occupying space
extent?a1475
extensive1624
extense1647
extended1666
bulky1674
roomthy1674
solid1690
spatial1847
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > geometric space > [adjective] > consisting of
spatial1847
1847 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. (rev. ed.) II. 447 We contemplate objects as made up of spatial parts.
1862 J. W. Draper Intell. Devel. Europe (1865) iv. 85 All is composed of points or spacial units, which, taken together, constitute a number.
1863 J. G. Murphy Crit. Comm. Bk. Gen. (i. 20) 64 The expanse is here proved to be aerial or spatial, not solid.
1886 A. Weir Hist. Basis Mod. Europe (1889) 474 An independent spatial world, with minds and matter moving about in it.
2.
a. Of, pertaining, or relating to space; subject to, or governed by, the conditions of space. Chiefly metaphorical and opposed to temporal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective]
spatial1857
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > geometric space > [adjective]
spatial1857
α.
β. 1871 A. C. Fraser Life & Lett. G. Berkeley x. 364 A mathematical or spacial conception of what is real.a1881 A. Barratt Physical Metempiric (1883) 107 A temporal principle of unity does exist, but a spacial does not.1857 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. (ed. 3) I. 351 There are properties of bodies, of the most intimate kind, which involve such spatial relations as are exhibited in the Regular Solids.
1865 J. Grote Treat. Moral Ideals (1876) 188 If we translate the consideration of the mind from spatial to temporal language.
1875 Cayley in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 165 675 If..we imagine the spatial distribution as made over an indefinitely thin layer or stratum.
1886 A. Weir Hist. Basis Mod. Europe (1889) 481 Ideas..which have been formed from a vast quantity of temporal and spatial experience.
b. spatial-temporal adj. = spatio-temporal adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective] > space-time
space-time1893
spatio-temporal1900
spatial-temporal1903
spatio-temporalized1940
1903 A. E. Taylor Elem. Metaphysics iii. iv. 249 We can..confine our attention to the spatial-temporal system of positions.
1925 Mind XXXIV. 44 The spatial-temporal order..is and must be taken for granted as ultimate by common sense and science.
1979 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. Mar. 157/2 Our language is filled with words whose original reference was to the position of one's body in the spatial-temporal world.
3. Happening or taking place in space; caused or involved by space.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective] > taking place in or caused by
spatial1866
1866 W. R. Alger Solitudes Nature & Man iii. 123 Spatial separation is not spiritual independence.
a1870 Sir J. Herschel in Proctor Other Worlds xii. 276 (note) One of the arguments advanced in favour of the spatial extinction of light.
1888 Linn. Soc. Jrnl. 20 232/2 Spatial segregation does not depend upon diversity in the qualities and powers of the organism.
4. Of faculty or sense: Apprehending or perceiving space or extension. spatial ability (Psychology), the measured aptitude for perceiving and comprehending relations involving space or extension.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > sense organ > [adjective] > perceiving space
spatial1886
the mind > mental capacity > psychology > psychology of perception > process of perception > [noun] > perception of space
spatial ability1962
1886 Encycl. Brit. XX. 54/1 (note) The sensibility of our ‘spatial sense’.
1886 H. Sidgwick Outl. Hist. Ethics i. 9 To investigate the origin of the spatial faculty.
1940 R. S. Woodworth Psychol. (ed. 12) iii. 77 Spatial ability is the ability to grasp and use spatial relations.
1952 M. K. Wilson tr. K. Z. Lorenz King Solomon's Ring vii. 72 Only a few small passerines..possess enough ‘spatial intelligence’ to find their way through the windows and doors of a house.
1962 J. Tiffin Industr. Psychol. (rev. ed.) v. 158 The spatial ability tests showed the highest relative validity indexes for structural workers..and for some jobs for which such indexes would not be expected.
1964 J. M. Argyle Psychol. & Social Probl. xi. 141 Although spatial and non-verbal intelligence tests do not give a good prediction to success at grammar school, they do predict well to success at technical colleges.
1977 Psychol. Abstr. LVIII. 813/2 Factor analysis of the intercorrelation matrices for 14 variables yielded the same 4 factors in each group for space perception and spatial ability.
Derivatives
spatiality n. /speɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ/ spatial character, quality, or property.
/speɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ/ spatial character, quality, or property.ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [noun] > quality of
spatiality1887
1887 Mind Jan. 10 The existence of the vague form..of spatiality.
1890 A. Seth Sc. Philos. (ed. 2) iii. 98 Elements which do not already include the fact of spatiality.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.1847