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hylomorphism

American  
[hahy-luh-mawr-fiz-uhm] / ˌhaɪ ləˈmɔr fɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy.

  1. the theory that every physical object is composed of two principles, an unchanging prime matter and a form deprived of actuality with every substantial change of the object.

hylomorphism British  
/ ˌhaɪləˈmɔːfɪzəm /

noun

  1. the philosophical doctrine that identifies matter with the first cause of the universe

"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

Other Word Forms

  • hylomorphist noun

Etymology

Origin of hylomorphism

First recorded in 1885–90; hylo- + -morphism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Aristotle proposed the theory of hylomorphism, which states that form is actually present in the material world and responsible for causing the acorn to actualize its potential as an oak tree.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

The idea of substance being a composite of form within matter became known as hylomorphism.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.