entelechy

[en-tel-uh-kee]

noun

plural

entelechies 

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 Word Forms

• entelechial 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.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

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

Read more on Project Gutenberg

It was the entelechy of the human body.

Read more on Project Gutenberg