gestalt

[ guh-shtahlt, -shtawlt, -stahlt, -stawlt ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

, plural ge·stalts, ge·stal·ten [g, uh, -, shtahl, -tn, -, shtawl, -, -, stahl, -, -, stawl, -].

1. a configuration, pattern, or organized field having specific properties that cannot be derived from the summation of its component parts; a unified whole.
2. an instance or example of such a unified whole.

Gestalt

/ ɡəˈʃtælt /

noun

1. sometimes not capital a perceptual pattern or structure possessing qualities as a whole that cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts See also Gestalt psychology

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestalt¹

1920–25; < German: figure, form, structure

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestalt¹

C20: German: form, from Old High German stellen to shape

Example Sentences

On the title track, listeners are greeted with glitchy vocal samples before Joachim puts new elements into the gestalt, and quickly.

From New York Times

Trepova said that under Gestalt's instruction she gained Tatarsky's trust, introducing herself to him as an art student named Anastasia Kriulina and attending his talks.

From BBC

In March Gestalt sent her the statuette, she said, assuring her that it contained a wiretap and a tracker.

From BBC

The two- or three-word tags, meant to convey the gestalt of a show or movie, regularly help viewers choose a show from the service’s nearly endless library, the company says.

From New York Times

They add mice may even have a "Gestalt of visual self-image," meaning they could have individualistic personalities.

From Salon

Related Words

• composition
• contour
• shape
• structure