\Nou"me*non\, n. [NL. fr. Gr. ? the thing perceived, p.
pr. pass. of ? to perceive, ? the mind.] (Metaph.)
The of itself unknown and unknowable rational object, or
thing in itself, which is distinguished from the {phenomenon}
through which it is apprehended by the senses, and by which
it is interpreted and understood; -- so used in the
philosophy of Kant and his followers.