CATEGORY. In metaphysics one of the ten primary ways or modes in which finite being can exist, namely, substance and nine accidents: quantity, quality, relation, action (transient), passion (received), place (proper and common), time, posture (position, site, and attitude), and habit (natural adjuncts). In logic, one of the ten corresponding supreme genera to which all predicates of a subject can be referred or reduced. (Etym. Greek kategoria, a predicament or class.)