ontij

Ontij is a term with limited attestation in published sources. There is no single, universally accepted definition, and its meaning is highly context-dependent.

Within speculative fiction and world-building communities, ontij is often described as a transitional state, phenomenon, or mechanism that marks a change of ontological level—such as crossing from one reality to another. Because there is no standard usage, authors adapt the term to their narratives.

Outside fiction, ontij may occur as a proper noun in small-scale works, used as a family name, a place name, or the title of a work. These uses are typically isolated and do not imply a broader, shared sense of the term.

Because of its ambiguous status, references to ontij are context-specific, and readers are advised to consult the relevant source to understand its intended meaning. See also ontology, ontic, threshold concepts.