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

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

The guides, it said, reflect “the whole gestalt of India’s association with sky and space.”

From Science Magazine

It chronicles Mr. Lee’s career before and after Marvel, the publisher’s initial forays into animation and television and some of the creative gestalt that gave birth to the Fantastic Four and other superheroes.

From New York Times

“I love the whole parts-to-whole gestalt approach to evaluating breeding stock,” he said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• composition
• contour
• shape
• structure