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autotelic

American  
[aw-tuh-tel-ik] / ˌɔ təˈtɛl ɪk /

adjective

Philosophy.
  1. (of an entity or event) having within itself the purpose of its existence or happening.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of autotelic

First recorded in 1900–05; auto- 1 + telic

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

The bonsai’s uselessly autotelic function can seem uncomfortably close to that of the novel.

From The New Yorker Jun. 15, 2015

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