telic

[ tel-ik, tee-lik ]

adjective
  1. Grammar. expressing end or purpose: a telic conjunction.

  2. tending to a definite end.

Origin of telic

1
First recorded in 1840–50, telic is from the Greek word telikós pertaining to an end or cause. See tel-2, -ic

Other words from telic

  • tel·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • non·tel·ic, adjective
  • un·tel·ic, adjective

Words Nearby telic

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How to use telic in a sentence

  • Hence the supernatural and telic forces, to which the scientist had had recourse, have been rendered superfluous.

  • Purposive progress rather than unconscious, telic rather than genetic, is the order of the evolution of society.

    Society | Henry Kalloch Rowe
  • Certain families may definitely determine to modify their habits, and within a few years accomplish a telic change.

    Society | Henry Kalloch Rowe
  • But with the awakening of the social consciousness and a quickening of the social conscience has come telic progress.

    Society | Henry Kalloch Rowe
  • He has learned the futility of telic endeavor, and knows the delight of drifting along with the whimsicalities of Chance.

    The Road | Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for telic

telic

/ (ˈtɛlɪk) /


adjective
  1. directed or moving towards some goal; purposeful

  2. (of a clause or phrase) expressing purpose

Origin of telic

1
C19: from Greek telikos final, from telos end

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012