The Meta Mesh Ontology (MMO) is a universal framework designed to integrate diverse knowledge bases across all domains of inquiry. It provides a coherent, philosophically grounded foundation that enables the unification of medical, psychological, social, technological, ecological, and cultural knowledge systems. While developed and applied initially in the context of psychiatry and interoperability (e.g., smart cities, robotics, clinical research), the MMO is structured to encompass and interlink every form of knowledge into a single, coherent, and interoperable framework.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Meta Mesh Ontology
Dr. Rogério Blitz
Ontology creator identified via ORCID.
entity unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000001
entity unit = Def. an entity that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit within a broader context.
continuant unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000002
continuant unit = Def. a continuant that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit within a broader context while maintaining persistence and identity over time.
generically dependent continuant unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000031
generically dependent continuant unit = Def. a generically dependent continuant that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit instantiated in one or more independent continuants while maintaining its type identity across these instances.
independent continuant unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000004
independent continuant unit = Def. an independent continuant that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit while maintaining its type identity and spatial location across time.
immaterial entity unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000141
immaterial entity unit = Def. an immaterial entity that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to material entities and that can undergo change as its material hosts undergo change.
continuant fiat boundary unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000140
continuant fiat boundary unit = Def. a continuant fiat boundary that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to a material or immaterial entity and that persists while maintaining its identity across changes in the entity it bounds.
zero-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000147
zero-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit = Def. a zero-dimensional continuant fiat boundary that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to a material or immaterial entity and that persists while maintaining its identity across changes in the entity it bounds.
one-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000142
one-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit = Def. a one-dimensional continuant fiat boundary that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to a material or immaterial entity and that persists while maintaining its identity across changes in the entity it bounds.
two-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000146
two-dimensional continuant fiat boundary unit = Def. a two-dimensional continuant fiat boundary that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to a material or immaterial entity and that persists while maintaining its identity across changes in the entity it bounds.
site unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_000029
site unit = Def. a site that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit in relation to a material entity and persists while maintaining its identity across changes in the entity that bounds it.
spatial region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000006
spatial region unit = Def. a spatial region that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit within a frame of reference while maintaining its identity across changes in its relational context.
zero-dimensional spatial region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000018
zero-dimensional spatial region unit = Def. a zero-dimensional spatial region that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit occupying a single point within a spatial frame of reference.
one-dimensional spatial region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000026
one-dimensional spatial region unit = Def. a one-dimensional spatial region that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit extending along a single dimension within a spatial frame of reference.
two-dimensional spatial region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000009
two-dimensional spatial region unit = Def. a two-dimensional spatial region that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit extending along two dimensions within a spatial frame of reference.
three-dimensional spatial region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000028
three-dimensional spatial region unit = Def. a three-dimensional spatial region that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit extending along three dimensions within a spatial frame of reference.
material entity unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000040
material entity unit = Def. a material entity that exists as an identifiable, delimited unit composed of some portion of matter while maintaining its type identity across changes in its material composition.
fiat object part unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000024
fiat object part unit = Def. a fiat object part that exists as an identifiable, delimited material entity that is, at all times of its existence, a proper continuant part of some object and demarcated from the remainder of that object by a two-dimensional continuant fiat boundary.
object unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000030
object unit = Def. an object that exists as an identifiable, delimited material entity manifesting maximal causal unity among its material parts under typical conditions for its type.
object aggregate unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000027
object aggregate unit = Def. an object aggregate that exists as an identifiable, delimited material entity composed of a plurality of objects as member parts while maintaining its identity across changes in membership.
specifically dependent continuant unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000020
specifically dependent continuant unit = Def. a specifically dependent continuant that exists as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity that is realized in or manifested on one or more independent continuants while maintaining its type identity across these instances.
quality unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000019
quality unit = Def. a quality that exists as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity that is manifested in an independent continuant without requiring any further process for its realization.
relational quality unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000145
relational quality unit = Def. a relational quality that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity inhering in two or more independent continuants simultaneously.
realizable entity unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000017
realizable entity unit = Def. a realizable entity that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity inhering in an independent continuant and capable of being realized in processes of a correlated type.
disposition unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000016
disposition unit = Def. a disposition that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity inhering in a material entity and is realized in virtue of the bearer’s physical constitution under specific conditions.
function unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000034
function unit = Def. a function that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity inhering in a material entity and is realized in processes of a correlated type in virtue of the bearer’s physical constitution, which exists due to evolutionary development or intentional design.
role unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000023
role unit = Def. a role that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited dependent entity inhering in a bearer situated in specific physical, social, or institutional circumstances, and that is realized in correlated processes without requiring a change in the bearer’s physical constitution.
occurrent unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000003
occurrent unit = Def. an occurrent that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited entity unfolding in time or existing as the instantaneous boundary of such unfolding, and that occupies a spatiotemporal region corresponding to its temporal extension.
process unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000015
process unit = Def. a process that is manifested as an identifiable, delimited occurrent unfolding in time, specifically depending on a material entity, and having proper temporal parts corresponding to its temporal extension.
history unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000182
history unit = Def. a history that is manifested as the total process occurring in the spatiotemporal region occupied by a material entity or site, including all surface and internal processes for which it serves as host.
process profile unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000144
process profile unit = Def. a process profile that is manifested as a proper occurrent part of a process with which it shares a temporal region and is mutually dependent on a distinct, non-overlapping occurrent part of that process.
process boundary unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000035
process boundary unit = Def. a process boundary that is manifested as a temporal part of a process and occupies a zero-dimensional temporal region.
spatiotemporal region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000011
spatiotemporal region unit = Def. a spatiotemporal region that is manifested as an occurrent occupying a region of spacetime and projecting onto corresponding spatial and temporal regions.
temporal region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000008
temporal region unit = Def. a temporal region that is manifested as an occurrent occupying a portion of time within a reference frame and whose parts are also temporal regions.
zero-dimensional temporal region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000148
zero-dimensional temporal region unit = Def. a temporal region that is without temporal extension and occupies a single instant.
one-dimensional temporal region unit
MMO-level owl:Class mapped to BFO:BFO_0000038
one-dimensional temporal region unit = Def. a temporal region that is extended along a single dimension of time without gaps or breaks.
ontology module
A modular part of an ontology to facilitate integration.
ontology module = Def. a Thing that provides a modular structure for organizing ontological content, enabling integration, versioning, and alignment with upper-level ontologies such as BFO.
ontology module (alias)
ontology module (alias) = Def. a Thing that provides a modular structure for organizing ontological content, enabling integration, versioning, and alignment with upper-level ontologies such as BFO.
domain unit
A domain unit represents a top-level conceptual category of the Meta Mesh Ontology (MMO). It provides an abstract and modular structure for organizing human knowledge into distinct yet interoperable semantic regions that correspond to the fundamental dimensions of reality and understanding. The identification of domain units is based on a systematic synthesis of global classification and semantic models, abstracted into a stable and extensible framework. This framework enables the consistent alignment of heterogeneous ontologies, terminologies, and data systems under a shared conceptual architecture. Each domain unit constitutes a semantically coherent and ontologically generalizable sphere of knowledge, forming the structural foundation for all subordinate modules within the MMO. Together, the domain units establish an integrative backbone that ensures conceptual interoperability, scalability, and long-term adaptability across diverse domains of knowledge.
domain unit = Def. a Thing that provides for describing a top-level, semantically coherent, and ontologically generalizable region of knowledge that supports modular integration across heterogeneous conceptual systems.
domain unit (alias)
domain unit (alias) = Def. a Thing that provides for describing a top-level, semantically coherent, and ontologically generalizable region of knowledge that supports modular integration across heterogeneous conceptual systems.
is mapped to
Mapping from a concept in one ontology to a corresponding concept in another ontology.
is mapped to = Def. an object property that relates two ontology owl:Classes, where the subject corresponds to a concept in one ontology and the object represents its counterpart in another ontology.
is mapped to (alias)
is mapped to (alias) = Def. an object property that relates two ontology owl:Classes, where the subject corresponds to a concept in one ontology and the object represents its counterpart in another ontology.
is temporal refinement of
Indicates that one concept is a temporal refinement or specialization of another concept, where the refinement is related to time-bound events or processes.
is temporal refinement of = Def. an object property that relates two occurrents, where the subject represents a narrower or more specific temporal specialization of the object, corresponding to time-bound events or processes.
is temporal refinement of (alias)
is temporal refinement of (alias) = Def. an object property that relates two occurrents, where the subject represents a narrower or more specific temporal specialization of the object, corresponding to time-bound events or processes.
is temporal generalization of
Indicates that one concept is a temporal generalization or broader category of another concept, where the generalization is related to time-bound events or processes.
is temporal generalization of = Def. an object property that relates two occurrents, where the subject represents a broader or more generalized temporal category of which the object is a more specific, time-bound instance or refinement.
is temporal generalization of (alias)
is temporal generalization of (alias) = Def. an object property that relates two occurrents, where the subject represents a broader or more generalized temporal category of which the object is a more specific, time-bound instance or refinement.
is constant refinement of
Indicates that one concept is a constant refinement or specialization of another concept, where both concepts are considered constant over time.
is constant refinement of = Def. an object property that relates two continuants, where the subject is a constant specialization of the object, and both are invariant over time.
is constant refinement of (alias)
is constant refinement of (alias) = Def. an object property that relates two continuants, where the subject is a constant specialization of the object, and both are invariant over time.
is constant generalization of
Indicates that one concept is a constant generalization or broader category of another concept, where both concepts are considered constant over time.
is constant generalization of = Def. an object property that relates two continuants, where the subject represents a broader or more general category of which the object is a constant refinement or specialization, with both concepts considered invariant over time.
is constant generalization of (alias)
is constant generalization of (alias) = Def. an object property that relates two continuants, where the subject represents a broader or more general category of which the object is a constant refinement or specialization, with both concepts considered invariant over time.
is used by
Indicates which systems or ontologies use this module.
is used by = Def. an object property that relates an ontology module to another ontology module or system that makes use of it.
is used by (alias)
is used by (alias) = Def. an object property that relates an ontology module to another ontology module or system that makes use of it.
is part of module
Specifies that a owl:Class is a constituent of a specific ontology module. This property links individual ontology elements to their associated OntologyModule, supporting modularization and traceability within the meta-ontology framework.
is part of module = Def. an object property that relates an ontology owl:Class to an ontology module, where the module serves as the structural container for organizing, grouping, and maintaining the owl:Class within the meta-ontology framework.
is part of module (alias)
is part of module (alias) = Def. an object property that relates an ontology owl:Class to an ontology module, where the module serves as the structural container for organizing, grouping, and maintaining the owl:Class within the meta-ontology framework.
has external parent
Links a owl:Class to its original parent owl:Class in an external ontology. This property supports semantic traceability without enforcing subowl:Class reasoning.
has external parent = Def. an object property that relates an ontology owl:Class in the MMO framework to its corresponding parent owl:Class in an external ontology, providing semantic traceability without asserting a formal subowl:Class relationship.
has external parent (alias)
has external parent (alias) = Def. an object property that relates an ontology owl:Class in the MMO framework to its corresponding parent owl:Class in an external ontology, providing semantic traceability without asserting a formal subowl:Class relationship.
defines class
Indicates that a owl:Class is formally declared and maintained within a specific ontology module. Useful for modular ontology design and provenance tracking.
defines class = Def. an object property that links an ontology module to the ontology owl:Classes it formally defines or integrates. This supports modular reuse, traceability, and refinement of concepts across the MMO framework.
defines class (alias)
defines class (alias) = Def. an object property that links an ontology module to the ontology owl:Classes it formally defines or integrates. This supports modular reuse, traceability, and refinement of concepts across the MMO framework.
has domain
Relates a class or entity to its associated conceptual or disciplinary domain (e.g., medicine, biology).
has domain of = Def. an object property that relates a continuant or concept to the domain (superdomain) within which it is defined or most relevant.
has domain (alias)
has domain of (alias) = Def. an object property that relates a continuant or concept to the domain (superdomain) within which it is defined or most relevant.
has scope
The scope of the ontology module (e.g., broad or specific coverage).
has scope = Def. a datatype property that relates an ontology module to a string value describing the breadth or specificity of its coverage, such as broad or specific domain focus.
has scope (alias)
has scope (alias) = Def. a datatype property that relates an ontology module to a string value describing the breadth or specificity of its coverage, such as broad or specific domain focus.
has use case
Specifies potential use cases for the ontology module.
has use case = Def. a datatype property that relates an ontology module to a string value specifying potential or intended applications in which the module can be employed.
has use case (alias)
has use case (alias) = Def. a datatype property that relates an ontology module to a string value specifying potential or intended applications in which the module can be employed.
has source
Indicates the original source or provenance of a mapped concept, such as the originating ontology, thesaurus, or controlled vocabulary. Useful for documentation, transparency, and integration provenance tracking.
has source = Def. a property that relates an ontology element to a value identifying its original provenance, such as the originating ontology, thesaurus, controlled vocabulary, or other authoritative source, thereby supporting documentation, transparency, and integration provenance tracking.
has source (alias)
has source (alias) = Def. a property that relates an ontology element to a value identifying its original provenance, such as the originating ontology, thesaurus, controlled vocabulary, or other authoritative source, thereby supporting documentation, transparency, and integration provenance tracking.
is bfo compliant
This property indicates whether the ontology module is compliant with the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO).
is bfo compliant = Def. a datatype property that provides for specifying the primary field of application in which an ontology module is semantically situated.
is bfo compliant (alias)
is bfo compliant (alias) = Def. a datatype property that provides for specifying the primary field of application in which an ontology module is semantically situated.