entelechy

[ en-tel-uh-kee ]

noun

, plural en·tel·e·chies.

1. a realization or actuality as opposed to a potentiality.
2. (in vitalist philosophy) a vital agent or force directing growth and life.

entelechy

/ ɛnˈtɛlɪkɪ /

noun

1. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality as opposed to potentiality
2. (in the system of Leibnitz) the soul or principle of perfection of an object or person; a monad or basic constituent
3. something that contains or realizes a final cause, esp the vital force thought to direct the life of an organism

Other Words From

• en·te·lech·i·al [en-t, uh, -, lek, -ee-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of entelechy¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin entelechīa < Greek entelécheia, equivalent to en- en- ² + tél ( os ) goal + éch ( ein ) to have + -eia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of entelechy¹

C17: from Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelekheia, from en- ² + telos goal, completion + ekhein to have

Example Sentences

Thus the entelechy of the body is the soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Whence it appears that in the smallest particle of matter there is a world of creatures, living beings, animals, entelechies, souls.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the gospel of work: our endeavour must be to realise our best self in deed and action; to strive until our personality attains, in Aristotle's word, its entelechy; its full development.

From Project Gutenberg

The key-word of all is to him the “entelechy” of Aristotle.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the entelechy of the human body.

From Project Gutenberg