entelechies

Variant of entelechy

entelechy definition

en·tel·echy (en tel′i kē)

noun pl. entelechies -·chies

  1. in Aristotelian philosophy, the actualization of potentiality or of essence
  2. in vitalism, the inherent force which controls and directs the activities and development of a living being

Etymology: ME entelechia < L < Gr entelecheia, actuality < en telei echein < en, in + telei, dat. of telos, end, completion + echein, to hold: see scheme

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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