definition
type: AnnotationProperty

editor note
type: AnnotationProperty

alternative term
type: AnnotationProperty

editor preferred term
type: AnnotationProperty

example of usage
type: AnnotationProperty

part of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:part_of
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor note: Parthood as a relation between instances: The primitive instance-level relation p part_of p1 is illustrated in assertions such as: this instance of rhodopsin mediated phototransduction part_of this instance of visual perception. This relation satisfies at least the following standard axioms of mereology: reflexivity (for all p, p part_of p); anti-symmetry (for all p, p1, if p part_of p1 and p1 part_of p then p and p1 are identical); and transitivity (for all p, p1, p2, if p part_of p1 and p1 part_of p2, then p part_of p2). Analogous axioms hold also for parthood as a relation between spatial regions. For parthood as a relation between continuants, these axioms need to be modified to take account of the incorporation of a temporal argument. Thus for example the axiom of transitivity for continuants will assert that if c part_of c1 at t and c1 part_of c2 at t, then also c part_of c2 at t. Parthood as a relation between classes: To define part_of as a relation between classes we again need to distinguish the two cases of continuants and processes, even though the explicit reference to instants of time now falls away. For continuants, we have C part_of C1 if and only if any instance of C at any time is an instance-level part of some instance of C1 at that time, as for example in: cell nucleus part_ of cell.
editor preferred term: part of
alternative term: part_of
inverse of: has part

has part
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor preferred term: has part
alternative term: has_part

inheres in
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: specifically dependent continuant range: independent continuant time: at all times A specifically dependent continuant A inheres in its independent continuant B at all times during which A exists.
editor preferred term: inheres in
alternative term: inheres_in
domain: specifically dependent continuant

bearer of
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: specifically dependent continuant time: at some time
editor preferred term: bearer of
alternative term: bearer_of
alternative term: is bearer of
range: specifically dependent continuant
inverse of: inheres in

realized in
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: realizable entity range: processual entity time: atemporal
alternative term: is realized by
editor preferred term: realized in
alternative term: realized_in
range: processual entity
domain: realizable entity

realizes
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: processual entity range: realizable entity time: atemporal
editor preferred term: realizes
domain: processual entity
range: realizable entity
inverse of: realized in

participates in
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: continuant and (not spatial region) range: processual entity time: at some time
editor preferred term: participates in
alternative term: participates_in
domain: continuant
range: occurrent

has participant
type: ObjectProperty
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:has_participant
editor note: Has_participant is a primitive instance-level relation between a process, a continuant, and a time at which the continuant participates in some way in the process. The relation obtains, for example, when this particular process of oxygen exchange across this particular alveolar membrane has_participant this particular sample of hemoglobin at this particular time.
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: processual entity range: continuant and (not spatial region) time: at some time
editor preferred term: has participant
alternative term: has_participant
range: continuant
domain: occurrent
inverse of: participates in

concretized by
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: generically dependent continuant range: specifically dependent continuant time: at some time
editor preferred term: concretized by
alternative term: concretized_by
alternative term: is concretized by
range: specifically dependent continuant
domain: generically dependent continuant

concretizes
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: specifically dependent continuant range: generically dependent continuant time: at some time
editor preferred term: concretizes
alternative term: is concretization of
domain: specifically dependent continuant
range: generically dependent continuant
inverse of: concretized by

preceded by
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:preceded_by
editor note: An example is: translation preceded_by transcription; aging preceded_by development (not however death preceded_by aging). Where derives_from links classes of continuants, preceded_by links classes of processes. Clearly, however, these two relations are not independent of each other. Thus if cells of type C1 derive_from cells of type C, then any cell division involving an instance of C1 in a given lineage is preceded_by cellular processes involving an instance of C. The assertion P preceded_by P1 tells us something about Ps in general: that is, it tells us something about what happened earlier, given what we know about what happened later. Thus it does not provide information pointing in the opposite direction, concerning instances of P1 in general; that is, that each is such as to be succeeded by some instance of P. Note that an assertion to the effect that P preceded_by P1 is rather weak; it tells us little about the relations between the underlying instances in virtue of which the preceded_by relation obtains. Typically we will be interested in stronger relations, for example in the relation immediately_preceded_by, or in relations which combine preceded_by with a condition to the effect that the corresponding instances of P and P1 share participants, or that their participants are connected by relations of derivation, or (as a first step along the road to a treatment of causality) that the one process in some way affects (for example, initiates or regulates) the other.
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
alternative term: is preceded by
editor preferred term: preceded by
alternative term: preceded_by
range: occurrent
domain: occurrent
inverse of: precedes

precedes
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor preferred term: precedes
range: occurrent
domain: occurrent

occurs in
type: ObjectProperty
alternative term: Intended meaning: domain: occurrent range: independent continuant time: atemporal
editor preferred term: occurs in
alternative term: occurs_in
alternative term: unfolds in
alternative term: unfolds_in
domain: occurrent
range: independent continuant

function of
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: function range: independent continuant time: at all times
editor preferred term: function of
alternative term: function_of
domain: function
sub property of: inheres in
inverse of: has function

quality of
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: quality range: independent continuant time: at all times
editor preferred term: quality of
alternative term: quality_of
domain: quality
sub property of: inheres in
inverse of: has quality

role of
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: role range: independent continuant time: at all times
editor preferred term: role of
alternative term: role_of
domain: role
sub property of: inheres in
inverse of: has role

has function
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: function time: at some time
editor preferred term: has function
alternative term: has_function
range: function
sub property of: bearer of

has quality
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: quality time: at some time
editor preferred term: has quality
alternative term: has_quality
range: quality
sub property of: bearer of

has role
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: role time: at some time
editor preferred term: has role
alternative term: has_role
range: role
sub property of: bearer of

disposition of
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: disposition range: independent continuant time: at all times
editor preferred term: disposition of
alternative term: disposition_of
domain: disposition
sub property of: inheres in

has disposition
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: disposition time: at some time
editor preferred term: has disposition
alternative term: has_disposition
range: disposition
sub property of: bearer of

adjacent to
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: independent continuant range: independent continuant time: at some time
editor preferred term: adjacent to
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:adjacent_to
editor note: Note that adjacent_to as thus defined is not a symmetric relation, in contrast to its instance-level counterpart. For it can be the case that Cs are in general such as to be adjacent to instances of C1 while no analogous statement holds for C1s in general in relation to instances of C. Examples are: nuclear membrane adjacent_to cytoplasm; seminal vesicle adjacent_to urinary bladder; ovary adjacent_to parietal pelvic peritoneum
alternative term: adjacent_to
alternative term: is adjacent to
domain: independent continuant
range: independent continuant

derives from
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Derivation as a relation between instances. The temporal relation of derivation is more complex. Transformation, on the instance level, is just the relation of identity: each adult is identical to some child existing at some earlier time. Derivation on the instance-level is a relation holding between non-identicals. More precisely, it holds between distinct material continuants when one succeeds the other across a temporal divide in such a way that at least a biologically significant portion of the matter of the earlier continuant is inherited by the later. Thus we will have axioms to the effect that from c derives_from c1 we can infer that c and c1 are not identical and that there is some instant of time t such that c1 exists only prior to and c only subsequent to t. We will also be able to infer that the spatial region occupied by c as it begins to exist at t overlaps with the spatial region occupied by c1 as it ceases to exist in the same instant.
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:derives_from
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: material entity range: material entity time: atemporal
editor preferred term: derives from
alternative term: derives_from
domain: material entity
range: material entity
inverse of: derived into

derived into
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: material entity range: material entity time: atemporal
editor preferred term: derived into
alternative term: derived_into
range: material entity
domain: material entity

has agent
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: processual entity range: continuant and (not spatial region) time: at some time
editor preferred term: has agent
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:has_agent
alternative term: has_agent
sub property of: has participant
inverse of: agent in

agent in
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: continuant and (not spatial region) range: processual entity time: at some time
editor preferred term: agent in
alternative term: agent_in
sub property of: participates in

integral part of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:integral_part_of
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor preferred term: integral part of
alternative term: integral_part_of
sub property of: part of
inverse of: has integral part

has integral part
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor preferred term: has integral part
alternative term: has_integral_part
sub property of: has part

location of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: spatial region range: continuant time: at some time
editor preferred term: location of
alternative term: location_of

proper part of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:proper_part_of
editor preferred term: proper part of
alternative term: proper_part_of
sub property of: part of
inverse of: has proper part

has proper part
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor preferred term: has proper part
alternative term: has_proper_part
sub property of: has part

contained in
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Containment is location not involving parthood, and arises only where some immaterial continuant is involved.
editor note: Containment obtains in each case between material and immaterial continuants, for instance: lung contained_in thoracic cavity; bladder contained_in pelvic cavity. Hence containment is not a transitive relation. If c part_of c1 at t then we have also, by our definition and by the axioms of mereology applied to spatial regions, c located_in c1 at t. Thus, many examples of instance-level location relations for continuants are in fact cases of instance-level parthood. For material continuants location and parthood coincide. Containment is location not involving parthood, and arises only where some immaterial continuant is involved. To understand this relation, we first define overlap for continuants as follows: c1 overlap c2 at t =def for some c, c part_of c1 at t and c part_of c2 at t. The containment relation on the instance level can then be defined (see definition):
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: material entity range: spatial region or site (immaterial continuant) time: at some time
alternative term: contained_in
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:contained_in
editor preferred term: contained in
inverse of: contains

contains
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: spatial region or site (immaterial continuant) range: material entity time: at some time
editor preferred term: contains

transformation of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
editor note: When an embryonic oenocyte (a type of insect cell) is transformed into a larval oenocyte, one and the same continuant entity preserves its identity while instantiating distinct classes at distinct times. The class-level relation transformation_of obtains between continuant classes C and C1 wherever each instance of the class C is such as to have existed at some earlier time as an instance of the distinct class C1 (see Figure 2 in paper). This relation is illustrated first of all at the molecular level of granularity by the relation between mature RNA and the pre-RNA from which it is processed, or between (UV-induced) thymine-dimer and thymine dinucleotide. At coarser levels of granularity it is illustrated by the transformations involved in the creation of red blood cells, for example, from reticulocyte to erythrocyte, and by processes of development, for example, from larva to pupa, or from (post-gastrular) embryo to fetus or from child to adult. It is also manifest in pathological transformations, for example, of normal colon into carcinomatous colon. In each such case, one and the same continuant entity instantiates distinct classes at different times in virtue of phenotypic changes.
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:transformation_of
editor preferred term: transformation of
alternative term: transformation_of
inverse of: transformed into

transformed into
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
deprecated: true
editor note: Obsolete in OBO_REL.
editor preferred term: transformed into

has improper part
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
deprecated: true
editor note: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor note: OBSOLETE: See reasons for obsoletion of improper_part_of.
editor preferred term: has improper part
alternative term: has_improper_part
sub property of: has part
inverse of: improper part of

improper part of
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
deprecated: true
editor note: Intended meaning: Ambiguous between continuant-parthood and occurrent-parthood. domain: continuant range: continuant time: at some time domain: occurrent range: occurrent time: atemporal
editor note: OBSOLETE. The definition is "As for part_of, with the additional constraint that subject and object may be identical". However, part_of is already reflexive, therefore improper_part_of is identical to part_of. If read differently, as "improper_part_of is part_of but not proper_part_of",improper_part_of becomes identity. So, improper_part_of is either identical to part_of or to identity, and not an intuitive synonym for either of them. [Robert Hoehndorf]
editor preferred term: improper part of
alternative term: improper_part_of
sub property of: part of

relationship
type: ObjectProperty
editor note: false
deprecated: true
editor preferred term: relationship

located in
type: ObjectProperty
type: TransitiveProperty
source: http://www.obofoundry.org/ro/#OBO_REL:located_in
editor note: Intended meaning: domain: continuant range: spatial region time: at some time
editor note: Location as a relation between instances: The primitive instance-level relation c located_in r at t reflects the fact that each continuant is at any given time associated with exactly one spatial region, namely its exact location. Following we can use this relation to define a further instance-level location relation - not between a continuant and the region which it exactly occupies, but rather between one continuant and another. c is located in c1, in this sense, whenever the spatial region occupied by c is part_of the spatial region occupied by c1. Note that this relation comprehends both the relation of exact location between one continuant and another which obtains when r and r1 are identical (for example, when a portion of fluid exactly fills a cavity), as well as those sorts of inexact location relations which obtain, for example, between brain and head or between ovum and uterus
editor preferred term: located in
alternative term: located_in
inverse of: location of

entity
type: Class
editor preferred term: entity

continuant
type: Class
subclass of: entity
definition: An entity that exists in full at any time in which it exists at all, persists through time while maintaining its identity and has no temporal parts.
example of usage: a heart
example of usage: a person
example of usage: a symphony orchestra
editor preferred term: continuant
alternative term: endurant
example of usage: the color of a tomato
example of usage: the disposition of blood to coagulate
example of usage: the lawn and atmosphere in front of our building
example of usage: the mass of a cloud

occurrent
type: Class
subclass of: entity
definition: An entity that has temporal parts and that happens, unfolds or develops through time.
example of usage: a surgical operation as processual context for a nosocomical infection
editor preferred term: occurrent
alternative term: perdurant
example of usage: the life of an organism
example of usage: the most interesting part of Van Gogh's life
example of usage: the spatiotemporal context occupied by a process of cellular meiosis
example of usage: the spatiotemporal region occupied by the development of a cancer tumor

independent continuant
type: Class
subclass of: continuant
definition: A continuant that is a bearer of quality and realizable entity entities, in which other entities inhere and which itself cannot inhere in anything.
example of usage: a chair
example of usage: a heart
example of usage: a leg
example of usage: a person
example of usage: a symphony orchestra
example of usage: an organism
editor preferred term: independent continuant
alternative term: substantial entity
example of usage: the bottom right portion of a human torso
example of usage: the lawn and atmosphere in front of our building

dependent continuant
type: Class
subclass of: continuant
definition: A continuant that is either dependent on one or other independent continuant bearers or inheres in or is borne by other entities.
editor preferred term: dependent continuant

spatial region
type: Class
subclass of: continuant
definition: A continuant that is neither bearer of quality entities nor inheres in any other entities.
editor note: All instances of continuant are spatial entities, that is, they enter in the relation of (spatial) location with spatial region entities. As a particular case, the exact spatial location of a spatial region is this region itself.
editor note: An instance of spatial region is a part of space. All parts of space are spatial region entities and only spatial region entities are parts of space. Space is the entire extent of the spatial universe, a designated individual, which is thus itself a spatial region.
editor note: Comment: Space and spatial region entities are entities in their own rights which exist independently of any entities which can be located at them. This view of space is sometimes called "absolutist" or "the container view". In BFO, the class site allows for a so-called relational view of space, that is to say, a view according to which spatiality is a matter of relative location between entities and not a matter of being tied to space. The bridge between these two views is secured through the fact that while instances of site are not spatial region entities, they are nevertheless spatial entities.
example of usage: parts of the sum total of all space in the universe
editor preferred term: spatial region
alternative term: spatial_region
example of usage: the sum total of all space in the universe

processual entity
type: Class
subclass of: occurrent
definition: A processual entity that is a maximally connected spatiotemporal whole and has bona fide beginnings and endings corresponding to real discontinuities.
editor preferred term: process
example of usage: the life of an organism
example of usage: the process of cell-division
example of usage: the process of sleeping

temporal region
type: Class
subclass of: occurrent
editor note: All instances of occurrent are temporal entities, that is, they enter in the relation of (temporal) location with temporal region entities. As a particular case, the exact spatiotemporal location of a temporal region is this region itself. Continuant entities are not temporal entities in the technical sense just explained; they are related to time in a different way, not through temporal location but through a relation of existence at a time or during a period of time (see continuant).
editor note: An instance of temporal region [span:TemporalRegion] is a part of time. All parts of time are temporal region [span:TemporalRegion] entities and only temporal region [span:TemporalRegion] entities are parts of time. Time is the entire extent of the temporal universe, a designated individual, which is thus a temporal region itself.
definition: An occurrent that is part of time.
editor note: Time and temporal region entities are entities in their own rights which exist independently of any entities which can be located at them. This view of time can be called "absolutist" or "the container view" in analogy to what is traditionally the case with space (see spatial region).
editor preferred term: temporal region
example of usage: the duration of a surgical procedure
example of usage: the moment of death
example of usage: the time it takes to run a marathon

two dimensional region
type: Class
subclass of: spatial region
example of usage: A spatial region with two dimensions.
example of usage: the surface of a cube-shaped part of space
example of usage: the surface of a rectilinear planar figure-shaped part of space
example of usage: the surface of a sphere-shaped part of space
editor preferred term: two dimensional region
alternative term: two_dimensional_region

scattered spatiotemporal region
type: Class
subclass of: spatiotemporal region
definition: A spatiotemporal region that has spatial and temporal dimensions and every spatial and temporal point of which is not connected with every other spatial and temporal point of which.
editor preferred term: scattered spatiotemporal region
example of usage: the space and time occupied by the individual games of the World Cup
example of usage: the space and time occupied by the individual liaisons in a romantic affair

spatiotemporal region
type: Class
subclass of: occurrent
editor note: All instances of occurrent are spatiotemporal entities, that is, they enter in the relation of (spatiotemporal) location with spatiotemporal region entities. As a particular case, the exact spatiotemporal location of a spatiotemporal region is this region itself.
definition: An occurrent at or in which processual entity entities can be located.
editor note: Spacetime and spatiotemporal region entities are entities in their own rights which exist independently of any entities which can be located at them. This view of spacetime can be called "absolutist" or "the container view". In BFO, the class processual context allows for a so-called relational view of spacetime, that is to say, a view according to which spatiotemporality is a matter of relative location between entities and not a matter of being tied to spacetime. In BFO, the bridge between these two views is secured through the fact that instances of processual context are too spatiotemporal entities.
editor preferred term: spatiotemporal region
example of usage: the spatiotemporal context occupied by a process of cellular meiosis
example of usage: the spatiotemporal region occupied by a human life
example of usage: the spatiotemporal region occupied by the development of a cancer tumor

spatiotemporal instant
type: Class
subclass of: connected spatiotemporal region
definition: A connected spatiotemporal region at a specific moment.
editor preferred term: spatiotemporal instant
example of usage: the spatiotemporal region occupied by a single instantaneous temporal slice (part) of a process

connected spatiotemporal region
type: Class
subclass of: spatiotemporal region
definition: A spatiotemporal region that has temporal and spatial dimensions such that all points within the spatiotemporal region are mediately or immediately connected to all other points within the same spatiotemporal region.
editor preferred term: connected spatiotemporal region
example of usage: the spatial and temporal location of an individual organism's life
example of usage: the spatial and temporal location of the development of a fetus

process aggregate
type: Class
subclass of: processual entity
definition: A processual entity that is a mereological sum of process entities and possesses non-connected boundaries.
example of usage: a process of digestion and a process of thinking taken together
editor preferred term: process aggregate
example of usage: the beating of the hearts of each of seven individuals in the room
example of usage: the playing of each of the members of an orchestra

process
type: Class
subclass of: processual entity
definition: A processual entity that is a maximally connected spatiotemporal whole and has bona fide beginnings and endings corresponding to real discontinuities.
editor preferred term: process
example of usage: the life of an organism
example of usage: the process of cell-division
example of usage: the process of sleeping

disposition
type: Class
subclass of: realizable entity
definition: A realizable entity that essentially causes a specific process or transformation in the object in which it inheres, under specific circumstances and in conjunction with the laws of nature. A general formula for dispositions is: X (object) has the disposition D to (transform, initiate a process) R under conditions C.
editor preferred term: disposition
example of usage: the disposition of a patient with a weakened immune system to contract disease
example of usage: the disposition of a vase to brake if dropped
example of usage: the disposition of blood to coagulate
example of usage: the disposition of metal to conduct electricity
example of usage: the disposition of vegetables to decay when not refrigerated

realizable entity
type: Class
subclass of: specifically dependent continuant
definition: A specifically dependent continuant that inheres in continuant entities and are not exhibited in full at every time in which it inheres in an entity or group of entities. The exhibition or actualization of a realizable entity is a particular manifestation, functioning or process that occurs under certain circumstances.
editor note: If a realizable entity inheres in a continuant, this does not imply that it is actually realized.
editor preferred term: realizable entity
example of usage: the disposition of blood to coagulate
example of usage: the disposition of metal to conduct electricity
example of usage: the function of the reproductive organs
example of usage: the role of being a doctor

zero dimensional region
type: Class
subclass of: spatial region
definition: A spatial region with no dimensions.
example of usage: a point
editor preferred term: zero dimensional region
alternative term: zero_dimensional_region

quality
type: Class
subclass of: specifically dependent continuant
definition: A specifically dependent continuant that is exhibited if it inheres in an entity or entities at all (a categorical property).
editor preferred term: quality
example of usage: the ambient temperature of air
example of usage: the circumference of a waist
example of usage: the color of a tomato
example of usage: the mass of a piece of gold
example of usage: the shape of a nose
example of usage: the weight of a chimpanzee

specifically dependent continuant
type: Class
subclass of: dependent continuant
definition: A continuant that inheres in or is borne by other entities. Every instance of A requires some specific instance of B which must always be the same.
alternative term: mode
alternative term: property
editor preferred term: specifically dependent continuant
example of usage: the color of a tomato
example of usage: the disposition of fish to decay
example of usage: the function of the heart in the body: to pump blood, to receive de-oxygenated and oxygenated blood, etc.
example of usage: the liquidity of blood
example of usage: the mass of a cloud
example of usage: the role of being a doctor
example of usage: the smell of mozzarella
alternative term: trope

temporal instant
type: Class
subclass of: connected temporal region
definition: A connected temporal region comprising a single moment of time.
example of usage: right now
editor preferred term: temporal instant
example of usage: the moment at which a child is born
example of usage: the moment at which a finger is detached in an industrial accident
example of usage: the moment of death

connected temporal region
type: Class
subclass of: temporal region
definition: A temporal region every point of which is mediately or immediately connected with every other point of which.
editor preferred term: connected temporal region
example of usage: the 1970s years
example of usage: the time from the beginning to the end of a heart attack
example of usage: the time taken up by cellular meiosis

role
type: Class
subclass of: realizable entity
definition: A realizable entity the manifestation of which brings about some result or end that is not essential to a continuant in virtue of the kind of thing that it is but that can be served or participated in by that kind of continuant in some kinds of natural, social or institutional contexts.
editor preferred term: role
example of usage: the role of a biological grandfather as legal guardian in the context of a system of laws
example of usage: the role of a chemical compound in an experiment
example of usage: the role of a patient relative as defined by a hospital administrative form
example of usage: the role of a person as a surgeon
example of usage: the role of a student in a university
example of usage: the role of a woman as a legal mother in the context of system of laws
example of usage: the role of ingested matter in digestion

fiat object part
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A material entity that is part of an object but is not demarcated by any physical discontinuities.
editor preferred term: fiat object part
alternative term: fiat substance part
example of usage: the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body
example of usage: the east side of Saarbruecken
example of usage: the lower right portion of a human torso
example of usage: upper and lower lobes of the left lung

object boundary
type: Class
subclass of: independent continuant
definition: An independent continuant that is a lower dimensional part of a spatial entity, normally a closed two-dimensional surface. Boundaries are those privileged parts of object entities that exist at exactly the point where the object is separated off from the rest of the existing entities in the world.
editor note: Boundaries are theoretically difficult entities to account for, however the intuitive notion of a physical boundary as a surface of some sort (whether inside or outside of a thing) will generally serve as a good guide for the use of this universal.
editor preferred term: object boundary
alternative term: substance boundary
example of usage: the outer surface of a cell or cell wall
example of usage: the surface of the earth
example of usage: the surface of the interior of the stomach
example of usage: the surface of the skin

one dimensional region
type: Class
subclass of: spatial region
definition: A spatial region with one dimension.
example of usage: an edge of a cube-shaped part of space
editor preferred term: one dimensional region
alternative term: one_dimensional_region
example of usage: the part of space that is a line stretching from one end of absolute space to the other

object aggregate
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A material entity that is a mereological sum of separate object entities and possesses non-connected boundaries.
example of usage: a collection of random bacteria
example of usage: a flock of geese
example of usage: a group of commuters on the subway
example of usage: a heap of stones
editor preferred term: object aggregate
alternative term: substance aggregate
example of usage: the patients in a hospital

three dimensional region
type: Class
subclass of: spatial region
definition: A spatial region with three dimensions.
example of usage: a cube-shaped part of space
example of usage: a sphere-shaped part of space
editor preferred term: three dimensional region
alternative term: three_dimensional_region

site
type: Class
subclass of: independent continuant
definition: An independent continuant consisting of a characteristic spatial shape in relation to some arrangement of other continuant entities and of the medium which is enclosed in whole or in part by this characteristic spatial shape. Site entities are entities that can be occupied by other continuant entities.
editor note: An instance of Site is a mixture of independent continuant entities which act as surrounding environments for other independent continuant entities, most importantly for instances of object. A site is typically made of object or fiat object part entities and a surrounding medium in which is found an object occupying the site. Independent continuant entities may be associated with others (which, then, are sites) through a relation of "occupation". That relation is connected to, but distinct from, the relation of spatial location. Site entities are not to be confused with spatial region entities. In BFO, site allows for a so-called relational view of space which is different from the view corresponding to the class spatial region (see the comment on this class).
example of usage: Maria's nostril or her intestines for a variety of bacteria
example of usage: a particular room in a particular hospital
editor preferred term: site

object
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A material entity that is spatially extended, maximally self-connected and self-contained (the parts of a substance are not separated from each other by spatial gaps) and possesses an internal unity. The identity of substantial object entities is independent of that of other entities and can be maintained through time.
example of usage: a chair
example of usage: a heart
example of usage: a lung
example of usage: an apple
example of usage: an organism
editor preferred term: object
alternative term: substance

generically dependent continuant
type: Class
subclass of: dependent continuant
definition: A continuant that is dependent on one or other independent continuant bearers. For every instance of A requires some instance of (an independent continuant type) B but which instance of B serves can change from time to time.
example of usage: a certain PDF file that exists in different and in several hard drives
editor preferred term: generically dependent continuant

scattered temporal region
type: Class
subclass of: temporal region
definition: A temporal region every point of which is not mediately or immediately connected with every other point of which.
editor preferred term: scattered temporal region
example of usage: the time occupied by the individual games of the World Cup
example of usage: the time occupied by the individual liaisons in a romantic affair

fiat process part
type: Class
subclass of: processual entity
definition: A processual entity that is part of a process but that does not have bona fide beginnings and endings corresponding to real discontinuities.
example of usage: chewing during a meal
editor preferred term: fiat process part
example of usage: the middle part of a rainstorm
example of usage: the most interesting part of Van Gogh's life
example of usage: the worst part of a heart-attack

function
type: Class
subclass of: realizable entity
definition: A realizable entity the manifestation of which is an essentially end-directed activity of a continuant entity in virtue of that continuant entity being a specific kind of entity in the kind or kinds of contexts that it is made for.
editor preferred term: function
example of usage: the digestive function of the stomach to nutriate the body
example of usage: the function of a birth canal to enable transport
example of usage: the function of a computer program to compute mathematical equations
example of usage: the function of a hammer to drive in nails
example of usage: the function of a judge in a court of law
example of usage: the function of an automobile to provide transportation
example of usage: the function of reproduction in the transmission of genetic material
example of usage: the function of the heart in the body: to pump blood, to receive de-oxygenated and oxygenated blood, etc.

process boundary
type: Class
subclass of: processual entity
definition: A processual entity that is the fiat or bona fide instantaneous temporal process boundary.
example of usage: birth
example of usage: death
editor preferred term: process boundary
example of usage: the detaching of a finger in an industrial accident
example of usage: the final separation of two cells at the end of cell-division
example of usage: the forming of a synapse
example of usage: the incision at the beginning of a surgery
example of usage: the onset of REM sleep

spatiotemporal interval
type: Class
subclass of: connected spatiotemporal region
definition: A connected spatiotemporal region that endures for more than a single moment of time.
editor preferred term: spatiotemporal interval
example of usage: the spatiotemporal region occupied by a process or by a fiat processual part

temporal interval
type: Class
subclass of: connected temporal region
definition: A connected temporal region lasting for more than a single moment of time.
example of usage: any continuous temporal duration during which a process occurs
editor preferred term: temporal interval

material entity
type: Class
subclass of: independent continuant
definition: An independent continuant that is spatially extended whose identity is independent of that of other entities and can be maintained through time.
editor note: Material entity subsumes object, fiat object part, and object aggregate, which assume a three level theory of granularity, which is inadequate for some domains, such as biology.
example of usage: a chair
example of usage: collection of random bacteria
example of usage: dorsal surface of the body
editor preferred term: material entity

processual context
type: Class
subclass of: processual entity
editor note: An instance of a processual context is a mixture of processual entity which stand as surrounding environments for other processual entity entities. The class processual context is the analogous among occurrent entities to the class site among continuant entities.
definition: An occurrent consisting of a characteristic spatial shape inhering in some arrangement of other occurrent entities. Processual context entities are characteristically entities at or in which other occurrent entities can be located or occur.
example of usage: The processual context for a given manipulation occurring as part of an experiment is made of processual entities which occur in parallel, are not necessarily all parts of the experiment themselves and may involve continuant [snap:Continuant] entities which are in the spatial vicinity of the participants in the experiment.
editor preferred term: processual context