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